Viking Primary School Opens Wellbeing Garden
Design was awarded gold medal at the Chelsea Flower Show
Pupils at the school show off their gold award
This Tuesday (1 November), pupils from Viking Primary School in Northolt celebrated the opening of an award-winning wellbeing garden which they helped to design
The Place2Be Securing Tomorrow Garden at the school was designed by Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Ambassador and horticulturist, Jamie Butterworth, with input from the children. The sanctuary garden featured at this year's Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show, where it was awarded a gold medal.
The garden places an emphasis on mental health, and was developed in partnership with children’s mental health charity Place2Be and sustainable investment manager Sarasin & Partners.
In May, the pupils visited the garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and spoke to celebrities including Alan Titchmarsh, Mary Berry and Kate Silverton about their involvement in designing the garden, as well as ways that they look after their own mental health.
The garden has now been relocated within the school grounds for the pupils, their families and school staff to enjoy. It builds on the long-term partnership between Viking Primary School and Place2Be, whose school-based mental health counsellors have been supporting pupils and their families for over 13 years.
Amie Norris, Head Teacher at Viking Primary School, said: “On behalf of everyone at Viking Primary School, we are thankful for the generosity of Jamie, Place2Be and Sarasin & Partners, for this amazing opportunity. The children have loved being involved with the garden design and after a difficult couple of years, the garden will give them a place to reflect and enjoy being outside. I look forward to seeing it through all the different seasons.”
The garden has been moved from Chelsea into the school
Jamie Butterworth, Managing Director of Form Plants said, “I hope that this garden will inspire everyone to think about the importance of outdoor space, a sanctuary where we look after and nurture our mental wellbeing. I’m proud that this garden now has a life beyond Chelsea, bringing a positive impact to the lives of these children and the whole school community now and into the future.”
Catherine Roche, CEO of Place2Be, added, “One in six children now has a diagnosable mental health issue, and many more are struggling with the challenges of life today. The Place2Be Securing Tomorrow Garden offers a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of the need to invest in children’s mental health. We are thrilled to have worked with Sarasin & Partners and with the very talented Jamie Butterworth, and we hope that everyone at Viking Primary School will reap the benefits of spending time in this calming space.”
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November 3, 2022