New project to create sensory garden

A new sensory garden is set to be created thanks to funding from Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) David Keane in a project with Warrington Lions.

The commissioner has awarded a £3,000 grant to Warrington Lions to support them to develop an outdoor sensory play garden at Warrington Play and Sensory Centre in Woolston.
Along with additional funding from Warrington Borough Council, Birchwood Lions and Warrington Play Centre itself, the funding will allow Warrington Lions to build the garden which will provide a safe environment for vulnerable residents to come together including children with disabilities.
The community group will also work with Thorncross Prison who will provide labour to develop the project and ongoing maintenance work as part of a rehabilitation project.
The funding from the commissioner has been provided from his Safer Communities Fund, which uses money seized from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act (PoCA 2002) to reinvest in projects which benefit the community.
PCC Keane said: “It’s important that we have safe environments in our communities where all our residents can come together to engage in activities.
“Sensory gardens provide a comforting and calming outdoor space where people can relax, surrounded by sensory items that will interest and stimulate them.
“I look forward to seeing this new facility open next summer as things hopefully start to return to some sort of normality.”
Liam Horrigan, from Warrington Lions, added: “The sensory garden will help reduce social isolation for all aspects of the local community by connecting people and providing a safer space where people can come together to enjoy one another’s company.
“It will also improve the aesthetics of the local area and help to reduce anti-social behaviour and acts of vandalism.”
There is still funding available for community groups as part of the Commissioner’s Safer Communities Fund. There are both £1,000 and £5,000 grants on offer. To find out if you’d be eligible to apply, please visit: https://www.cheshire-pcc.gov.uk/what-i-do/making-cheshire-safer/proceeds-of-crimecommunity-fund/