Everyone needs a quiet place sometimes, and a love of the outdoors is a sure remedy for the stress of daily life. For a group of exceptional young students in England, a garden full of sweet herbs and flowers offers a moment of peace in a busy school.
Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Kindness
Beverley Burrows-Pym, a fundraising coordinator for Random Acts, teaches a group of students with special needs at the largest school in the region. The bustling facility was full of lively kids but short on quiet places for overwhelmed students.
After trying unsuccessfully to carve out a suitable quiet area, Beverley decided her students could help design one. The school provided them with a shaded corner of the campus to transform into a safe haven. “I spoke to the students about what they wanted from this garden,” explains Beverley. “‘Quiet, green, and pretty with things that smell nice’ were the answers!”
Beverley and her students began planning what they called their “sensory garden.” They learned how important the garden would be for pollinators like bees and butterflies. For the “pretty things that smell nice,” the group settled on mint, lavender, thyme, sage, lemongrass, and parsley, in addition to wildflowers.
Putting Down Roots
The students planted and maintained the sensory garden with adult support. They chose seeds that could provide a variety of scents, colors, heights, and uses in addition to being bee-friendly. Plants were also donated by local residents, stretching resources to make the garden even better. Ideally, seeds will be collected after each season to keep the garden going and to share with the community.
Maintaining the sensory garden is a hands-on mission the students are eager to accomplish. There is a rotating schedule for watering, and the students make sure to check on the health of the plants, rain or shine.
The students are also proud that visitors of all ages and abilities can benefit from the garden. Flowerpots are attached high and low on the fences to be within reach of all explorers. The peaceful shade provides a break from overstimulation. The variety of scents, colors, and textures provide an experience for all the senses. The students even grow edible plants that the hospitality classes can use in their recipes.
Nature in Action
Beverley reports that there are about 12 regular visitors to the garden and another 30 or so who visit occasionally. The connection to nature has many benefits, providing a vibrant feast for the senses as well as a safe space for supporting mental health.
Watching the students excitedly “plotting and planning” was a joyful sight that led to smiles all around. Experiencing the process alongside the students “was lovely,” Beverley shares. “It feels as though we have made a change that will outlast their time in school.”
Local Acts Add Up to Global Good
At Random Acts, our mission is to fund acts of kindness, both large and small. Do you have an idea for an act of kindness in your own community? Contact your local Random Acts Regional Representative for information on Sponsored Acts or any other help you need to turn your idea into a reality.
