Treloar's launches UK woodland first

Treloar’s Chief Executive has officially opened the UK's first accessible woodland adventure trail for people with any type of disability.

Tony Reid was invited to attend the launch of the Easy Access Discovery Trail at Alice Holt Forest, Farnham, last week (5 October) where he declared the walk open.

He paid tribute to the hard work that has gone into making the project – which enables wheelchair users and those with communication difficulties the opportunity to enjoy the forest - a reality.

Staff from Treloar’s, including tutor Dave Allen and former speech and language therapist Laila Emms worked closely with the Forestry Commission to develop the trail, which is designed to promote learning through a physical and sensory environment.

Those embarking on the trail are provided with a Talking Pictures booklet at Treloar’s activity pack which allows them to experience the forest like never before.

At the opening ceremony for the Easy Access Discovery Trail, Tony said: “This is a wonderful example of our commitment at Treloar’s to work with the local community and vice versa.

“We are acutely aware that many young people with complex needs have limits to their experience of the physical world. For many young people, computers are wonderful, but what these young people with complex needs have great difficulty with is experiencing the sights, sounds and tastes of the environment. And in addition this wonderful project helps the non-disabled community to see what is possible and have an insight in what its like to be disabled.”