BUDDING gardeners have spruced up a yard to create a lovely sensory space.

A ‘green team’ of young gardeners from Leonard Cheshire have transformed an overgrown patch of waste ground into a lush sensory garden for students with autism at Priory College on Rhosddu Road, Wrexham.

The 22 young people who worked on the garden are ‘Can Doers’ from Leonard Cheshire’s Can Do programme, which works to develop skills among young disabled people. It was a personal project for the Can Doers, many of whom are students at Priory College and potential users of the garden.

They unveiled the finished garden alongside the Mayor of Wrexham, Councillor Rob Walsh, at the college on June 20.

The project was made possible by a grant from the National Garden Scheme and is the first of four with others planned for locations in Essex, Portsmouth and Newport.

The Can Doers guided every aspect of its design, from its layout to individual colours and textures. Starting in September, they helped plan work to clear the previously unsightly area of brambles and weeds before starting work on the garden itself earlier this year.

This sensory garden is designed to provide a calming, safe environment for students at Priory College. It features beds of herbs, seating and a willow arch, offering different sensations for visitors.

The students from Priory College were leant vital support by Can Doers from Coleg Cambria's Yale campus, and local gardening firm Gardenworks.

Rhys Hughes, one of the Can Doers from Yale the Yale campus, has gone on to secure a paid job for Gardenworks.

He said: “I’ve really enjoyed working with all my fellow students. I’ve been coming here rain or shine, including on my days off. It looks brilliant now- so much better than when we started. And the experience has directly led to me gaining employment with a gardening company.”

Cllr Rob Walsh, Mayor of Wrexham, said: “I’m really honoured to have been invited to attend today’s event. The garden demonstrates the great work that the priory does to improve the skills of its students. A big well done to all the staff, families, students and organisations involved. They can all be very proud of themselves.”

Susan McGrane, Can Do Coordinator for Wrexham, said: “The participants have been amazing. From the start they got completely involved, and the creation of the garden has provided opportunities that have allowed them all to shine – every one of them is thrilled, and those returning to the Priory next year have some great plans to continue to develop and grow the garden.”