From sensory beds to specially created murals, the customers of Heart of England Mencap now have use of outside space, at Alscot, to spend time in and reflect.

The communal space next to the charity’s day activity base at Alscot has been transformed into a vibrant walled garden to be used and enjoyed by the local people with learning disabilities which Heart of England Mencap supports as well as existing commercial tenants.
There are pots and borders filled with flowers, as well as raised sensory beds full of aromatic lavender and herbs, all ready to be tended by customers and used on cooking courses too.

The walls are decorated with a series of striking murals, created by Mencap customers as part of a special art project. Working with the artist Lucy Bergonzi they came up with their own ideas of what to portray and then got to work using specialist waterproof paints.
The result is a stunning series of 8 pictures, all representing something very different, but with real meaning.

Heart of England Mencap is very grateful to a team of teenagers who spent time volunteering with the charity over the summer as part of the National Citizen Service scheme, lending their green-fingers to get the garden open.

The new garden was unveiled on 8th Sept at a special Open Garden Morning, where customers, staff and supporters enjoyed tea and cake.