Patron Alan Titchmarsh opens our new Outdoor Play and Learning Area

Treloar’s was delighted to welcome Patron Alan Titchmarsh on 27 June to open a fabulous new and exciting outdoor play and learning area for its School students. This bright, vibrant area provides younger students with access to an outdoor play area which stimulates the senses and encourages learning in a fun, hands-on way. With the sun shining, the official opening was a huge success and everyone had a great time testing out all the new equipment.

This area has been specially designed with a track for students who are learning to drive their own wheelchairs, an accessible roundabout and a large nest swing. There are sensory areas, learning areas, raised beds for growing plants and vegetables, sand and water play – all at the right height to be accessible. The area also includes a wooden shelter, ensuring the area can be used all year round. As one staff member stated: “It’s wonderful; the children are definitely enjoying the new playground – it’s a massive change to playtime.”

Treloar’s would like to thank all the generous donors who helped to make this project possible, including Morrisons Foundation, Sun Life Financial of Canada – Brighter Life Community Programme, Tesco Bags of Help (see below), TJX UK Foundation, East Hampshire District Council – Councillor Community Grant Scheme, The Frank Misselbrook Foundation, Newbury Building Society, Stone King Foundation, The Gilander Foundation, Community Kickstart supported by The Breeze, and many others. Altogether they, and our individual donors, contributed £45,000 to provide this fabulous new playground for the students at the School. It provides our physically disabled young people with fun experiential opportunities which are hugely important to their curriculum learning and play time. The playground will also be open to visiting pupils from local schools and groups where they can play alongside our students, having fun whilst learning about disability and inclusion. We simply couldn’t have created such a wonderful learning and play environment for our students without their incredible support.