Three new organisations have now been chosen to go to vote in Tesco stores across the Stokes throughout March and April; each hoping to collect enough tokens to receive the highest amount of funding.
The West of England MS Therapy Centre (MSTC) is looking for funding to develop a therapy garden for their members and carers to enjoy at their base in Bradley Stoke. They want to use any money that they receive towards the preparation and ground work of the area, such as levelling any uneven areas, adding in appropriate pathways and generally making the area accessible for all. The centre, located in Bradbury House on Wheatfield Drive, aims to provide a range of therapies, services, information and support for people affected by multiple sclerosis (MS) and other neurological conditions.
Sarah Vincent, events and community officer at the centre, commented:
“We have some land within the centre grounds and our ambition is to turn this into an accessible therapy garden within which people can enjoy what the great outdoors can offer, relax and even receive therapies such as physiotherapy and reflexology in this space, to mention but a few.”
“Many of our service users have limited access to outside space or gardens – they may be restricted due to lack of mobility or have the need to be near accessible facilities including WCs, or simply due to the fear of falling or becoming fatigued and being unable to get assistance.”
“Our centre users are just one group of beneficiaries from this project. The area will also be used by our neighbours Wheatfield Primary School as part of the children’s learning. Biodiversity forms part of the school curriculum and the therapy garden will enable children to learn about wildflowers and animal/insect habitats as well as general learning in a different environment.”
The Friends of Shield Road Primary School in Filton are planning on using any money that they receive to create an outdoor classroom for the school. They want to put down decking and develop their conservation area to enhance children’s learning and educate them about the environment in an engaging and hands on way.
St Ursula’s E-ACT Academy, Westbury-on-Trym, are also looking to use the money to develop the outdoor area of their school. They are planning on developing the school’s outdoor space with an allotment area, including planters, a pond and fruit trees. They are hoping that this area will provide the children with the opportunity to foster an understanding and appreciation of nature.
Voting for the current round of funding will continue until Monday 30th April when all of the tokens will be collected and counted. Look out for a report on the results in our June magazine.
• In the January/February vote, Bradley Stoke United FC secured the greatest number of tokens to secure the top grant of £4,000.
Photo: Volunteers from Pelican Business Services, Rolls Royce and Avon Wildlife Trust plant small trees ready for the garden development at the MSTC.
This article originally appeared in the April 2018 issue of the Bradley Stoke Journal news magazine (on pages 8 & 9). The magazine is delivered FREE, EVERY MONTH, to 9,200 homes in Bradley Stoke and Little Stoke. Phone 01454 300 400 to enquire about advertising or leaflet insertion.
