space2hide
The garden has turned into a green oasis. After the wet winter months, the space2play families who come each week get to enjoy the garden in its full glory. The hammocks and swings have been really popular this term. Swinging and spinning help children in a multitude of ways supporting the development of their balance and coordination. It also helps them to emotionally regulate and enhance their well-being.New teepees have been added to the acre and the children are learning that hiding from your parents and chasing each other is good fun!
Thank you to the National Lottery Community Fund for their support to provide this year-round group for our community of families and children.
planting behind the scenes
As the garden begins to flourish our garden volunteer team have done a tremendous job to keep pace. Tending to seedlings, planting vegetables and watering through a very dry spring. We are after additional garden chairs as a few of ours are falling into disrepair - if you have any you can donate please email info@space2grow.space
more sheds for men in sheds!
Men in Sheds have been living true to their name and helping construct a new shed in the garden to support the garden team, providing a more suitable shed to store their tools. From the construction of the base, erecting the shed and putting in a ramp and handrail, they have worked so hard on it.
And a huge thank you to the Farnham Institute who helped fund the new shed. It will make a big difference to all the groups who use the garden as it will free up the existing gardening shed which houses purpose built benches for group activities.
a garden for all
The teens continue to enjoy the garden and all it has to offer, from discovering all the corners to rolling the tyres. Kelley, the teen lead, often observes that even those who are initially reluctant, with some gentle encouragement, are soon doing the activity and engaging with the rest of the group.
Over the weeks the relationships develop within the group. The more relaxed environment of the garden encourages confident interactions with other group members and adults. Regular doses of nature working it's magic.
They get to enjoy the space and nature in the garden, including pondering on ducks.
Royal delight and celebrating community!
Finally, It was an absolute honour to receive invites to Buckingham Palace to attend the summer garden parties to represent the work that the charity does. It was a truly splendid, magical day and a HUGE thank you to the Surrey Lieutenancy Office for the continued support and encouragement - it means so much. There was tea, perfect sandwiches, brass bands and a royal hand shake! All set within the perfect ground of Buckingham Palace Garden.
We had a joyous day at the sustainability festival hosted by Farnham Community Farm. Such a variety of community groups, great live music and fabulous food stalls. We ran a craft where visitors were able to paint a flag on hessian bunting which we'll be putting up in the garden. Watch this space! Thank you to everyone who came along to say hi and joined in.
Click on image above to watch a short video of the bunting made on the day :)
Whilst there we got to congratulate the newly elected Farnham Mayor and Mayoress. Congratulations to Cllr George Murray!
We were delighted to play host to the 3rd Farnham Beavers who enjoyed a session learning all about bee's and examining their hives. It was a perfect summers evening and the perfect setting for them to learn about the busy pollinators.
reflections from the acre...
We end the newsletter from a local mum who has been coming to space2play for over a year after her mum met Mandie, one of our spaceplay team in the local library...
''We've been coming for just over a year now and we've come every week, I don't think I've missed a week. I need to be outdoors, Maverick can't be indoors playing, he needs to be outdoors and I needed somewhere to come where I could be around people who could support me. I could say 'could you help with Maverick' whilst I have the baby. It's been a lifeline. To be able to get out the house, especially in Winter and finding somewhere where we can go. It means so much to us. Motherhood can be so lonely in the modern day and it's so lovely to find a place where you can play with your children in the mud. This place brings Maverick so much joy, it's so important.
We're so grateful for the space and the amazing volunteers who work on the garden and Catherine is amazing, she's one of a kind. She's great at making sure Maverick has what he needs. If whatever is out isn't working for him she'll grab what he needs. He has so much freedom and space to play how he wants. This is freedom."
