THE transformation of a school garden is underway thanks to support from businesses across Wythenshawe.
Manchester Enterprise Academy (MEA) is creating an outdoor space next to its Hub facility, which offers an alternative learning environment for some of its students.
The garden project will enable pupils to grow fruit and vegetables and learn a range of different skills and MEA issued a call to action for volunteers to help make their vision a reality.
Membership group and charity BW3 stepped-in to link volunteers from a range of organisations with the school and get the work underway.
They included Max Clarke, who works at BW3 member business Endress + Hauser. Max, a quality assurance manager, coordinated a wide range of activities at the project, including devising the landscape plans, researched crop rotation, strimming and weeding, building raised planting beds from disused pallets, creating a large metal frame bench.
Also turning out was Manchester City Council neighbourhood manager Rob Dillon, who is a BW3 committee member and chair of its schools sub-group. He said:
“BW3 has a long history of supporting schools in the Wythenshawe area through schemes such as aspirational mentoring, numbers at work and by offering work experience through his members.
“However, we are also eager to get involved with supporting vital projects like this one, which will make a huge difference to MEA and its pupils. It is always great to see BW3 members turn out with such enthusiasm and that is what the organisation is all about – businesses giving back to their local community.
“I would urge any other BW3 members interested in supporting something like this to get involved in the weeks ahead.”
MEA is inviting volunteers to turn up, support the students and help the project any Friday afternoon from 12.45pm onwards.
Project coordinator Mark Chapman said,
“Volunteers and students at MEA have been busy developing “The Hub Garden Project”. A Fantastic Future is the ethos of the Academy and this project allows students the opportunity to enjoy and explore an activity that they may not have considered. Our first session was a great success with students and volunteers enjoying the garden and working enthusiastically together.”
MEA built The Hub facility as they recognise that some pupils need additional support to ensure their outcomes are positive and they are able to meet their life ambitions. Students within The Hub have a challenging but realistic curriculum giving them the opportunity to achieve GCSE grade 9-5, including Maths and English, by providing excellent learning experiences alongside bespoke interventions and therapies to support students. The Hub is a base where students feel safe, welcomed and supported to achieve their ‘fantastic future’.