A garden project designed for young people with autism, learning difficulties and special needs, has been launched. 

The new InterAct Aspire Centre garden project was launched in the hope of inspiring a new generation of gardeners and helping increase enjoyment of the natural environment. 

Susie Nankivell, Volunteer Development Co-ordinator at InterAct, said: "We were priviledged to have the support of Chelmsford City Deputy Mayor, Councillor Philip Wilson, the Principal of Writtle College, Dr Stephen Waite, InterAct patrons the Rt Hon Sir Simon Burns MP, and Sir Robert Bunyard. Along with representatives from our fabulous project team a number of Chelmsford City and County Councillors, local community organisations, volunteers and young people, InterAct staff and trustees joined the celebrations.

"The seed was sown in February this year when Anne Pleasant and Anita Goldsmith (InterAct Co-CEO's) met Gary Burt, the Community Liaison Coordinator from Graham Construction, at a presentation about Graham's building of the new road bridge from the Army and Navy roundabout to Chelmer Village.

"Graham Construction were keen to work together to ensure that their impact on the surrounding community and their future legacy was a positive one.

"The timing was perfect as InterAct had just recruited some volunteer gardeners to help us maintain the Aspire Centre garden but it was a mammoth job and really needed rather more of an overhaul than we could take on.

"We therefore asked if they could help us tackle the garden and look at wider and broader community benefits.

"Gary had already made links with local colleges, schools and other businesses and put us in touch with Writtle College to see if any of their students would be able to help.

"Thankfully, three horticultural design students, Scott Downes, Tom Brindle and Sam Moore were looking for a project to support their studies.

"We arranged to meet with them and fortunately they were not too daunted and agreed to draft a plan.

"They came to visit us a number of times meeting with the ‘Project Team’ staff, young people and volunteers, to ask us what we wanted from the garden and how we would like to use it in the future, as well as to measure up and check what was already established.

"In short we said we wanted “a place to grow vegetables; create an herb garden; experience countrified pursuits; artistic creations; to learn about and observe the natural environment; wildlife and local history and heritage; or just to chill, and enjoy meeting friends having a BBQ or having a quiet moment.”

"We felt we might as well "Go for it all!"

"When we met a few weeks later, to discuss the plans, they had produced a design that far exceeded even our expectations, including a wildlife area, vegetable patch, patio and activity space, a stream and pond as well as a peaceful place for time out.

"Where possible they are going to use recycled material and most importantly it is going to be sustainable.

"Graham Construction is going to help source the materials, machinery and manpower as well as build longer lasting relationships with local businesses and organisations.

"We are looking forward to developing InterAct's Aspire Garden and encouraging local communities to enjoy the benefits of being outside and helping them to become more aware of the importance of the natural world, and providing opportunities for volunteering.

"We hope that the partnerships we will build along the way, particularly with Writtle College will last long beyond the redesign of the garden, to develop our Garden Club, offer horticultural classes to the people we support, that the longer term gardening tasks will provide students at Writtle with useful practical experience such as tree pruning, wall building and more general garden maintenance plus providing communities with the opportunity to volunteer and to support young people with special needs.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for everyone as the benefits of gardening and connecting with the natural environment more generally are well recognised, improved health and wellbeing.

"The project would not be possible without the generous support of our partners Writtle College and Graham Construction and we welcome others becoming involved, be it through materials, machinery, manpower or money to make this project a success.

"We hope everyone will be proud of their involvement in supporting a legacy for young people with special needs."