Estimated Price

£1,000

Summary

Friends and Family of Irvine Royal Academy (Parent Council) aim to support the wellbeing and education of all young people at Irvine Royal Academy and promote parental engagement, while recognising the current financial and mental health climate, particularly in the Ayrshire area. We wish to improve the Garden area of the school, in order for it to facilitate outdoor learning, and health and wellbeing activities for young people and parents/carers, this in turn improving wellbeing for all. 

Description

Our Community Garden Project involves young people. parents and carers. To prepare the garden for outdoor learning we need seating and tables, as currently there is only 1 bench. The garden is in a contained space with panels around the sides, we plan to turn some of these panels into chalkboards where young people can draw/learn. Young people will be involved in the painting process. As part of STEM and learning about renewable energy we want to buy an educational wind turbine and solar power kit, which will be used by all young people in the school, especially in science and geography classes. Lastly, we want to encourage young people to take pride in their garden, the purchase of lawnmowers will provide young people with an opportunity to keep active in the garden - currently, the school relies on an outside agency to cut the grass. 

Once the garden has its grass cut and has seating, young people can use the space at break/lunch. It will be a calm relaxed space where young people can take time to enjoy nature and escape any stresses. Research shows that green spaces such as our Community Garden can reduce stress, improve cognitive function, and increase happiness and wellbeing (Weir,2020, American Psychological Association).

Project Costs:

• 3 manual lawnmowers = £135
• 3 eight seater round picnic tables = £560.97
• 2 tins chalkboard paint and brushes = £39
• wind turbine kit = £167.95
• solar power kit = £148.79