Celebrating collaboration for a sustainable Wild Activity Garden
Calvert Devon is an accessible activity centre and charity in the Southwest, where people of all abilities can experience the joy of adventure and the outdoors in a safe, supportive environment.
With the aim of providing exciting activities like abseiling, canoeing, climbing, horse riding and biking, as well as spaces for quiet moments by the lake, the charity hopes that everyone who visits the centre leaves feeling empowered and inspired.
This year they reached out for help to create a Wild Activity Garden that would give guests an opportunity to sit quietly with their thoughts, connect with nature, and enjoy the outdoors. The team from SUEZ worked hard over five days to clear the grounds and landscape the area, creating a peaceful garden space for guests to relax and enjoy the natural surroundings. They were able to use resources donated to the Reuse Shops, such as planters, outdoor furniture, bricks and Belfast sinks, to create pockets of planting around the grounds.
Coastal Waste, a local contractor who processes Devon County’s garden waste, donated 5.5 tonnes of compost for the project, and Ivan Reaney, Service Delivery Manager at SUEZ, pulled out all the stops to arrange collection and delivery of the compost for the project.
The garden will also provide opportunities for local schools to visit and take part in gardening sessions, helping young people learn about sustainability and the environment. In the future, Calvert Devon plans to use the vegetables and herbs grown in the garden in its kitchen, supporting fresh, home-grown ingredients for guests.
Robbie Andrews, Area Supervisor at SUEZ, said: “It’s been a really fantastic experience working alongside Calvert Devon. We are always delighted to support them as they provide such enriched experiences for people in real need of support. I’m really proud of the team and the work they’ve carried out – the Wild Activity Garden is now a reality and a positive place to sit in nature.”
Jennifer Young, CEO at Calvert Devon, said: “We’re delighted with the work and continued support from the team at SUEZ. As a charity, we really value the help of volunteers to create a welcoming environment for our visitors, and this new Wild Activity Garden will be enjoyed for years to come.”