The Rookery Gardens are a gem and a sanctuary for the community of South London. The Old English Garden sits at the lower tier and is a wonderful example of the Edwardian style of formal structure with informal planting. This will be continued & developed in The Sensory Garden, which will be located either side of the Covington Way entrance into The Rookery, an area of the garden that has been waiting for a purpose.

We are working with British Home, a charity supporting people with neuro-disability and Share Community, a charity supporting people with disabilities to produce; formal, wheelchair compliant pathways will run in between beds filled with soft, natural planting & accessible raised beds. Plants that will stimulate the senses for all to enjoy. Reaching out to the wider community, the garden will be used for workshops, volunteer groups & art projects.

In addition, we will provide clear signage from the entrance to The Rookery to The Sensory Garden, creating a truly accessible experience for all.

We aim to deliver:

• Wider engagement in the community: school’s, organisations, volunteer groups, art projects, workshops
• Build raised beds & wheelchair compliant pathways
• Repair the traditional paving leading to the sensory space
• Plants & planting
• Signage across the site

Why it's a great idea:

The Sensory Garden will allow access & the ability to experience the therapeutic benefits of being amongst sensory plants & nature to all. The path & raised beds will create a learning environment for anyone who wishes to discover the joy of gardening independently or simply to enjoy its beauty & calm. The garden will be a sensory experience for all the senses, which will be particularly beneficial to children with autism & adults with dementia. It will enable us to develop an area of the garden to create a space for workshops, art & gardening projects & to expand our volunteering sessions. It will allow us to repair the original paving & improve the signage throughout the garden, creating easy access for all.

The compost used on the raised and ground beds will be provided by The Composter, a new NFP operating onsite and producing high quality, weed free compost from our organic waste produced on site. This project furthers our commitment to sustainability and carbon reduction.