Led by The Sensory Place, a charity supporting young people up to the age of 25 with disabilities, the scheme gives them the opportunity to design, decorate, and plant bee and butterfly-friendly planters at the Merryoaks Community Centre in Neville’s Cross.

Amy Henderson, co-founder and trustee at The Sensory Place, said: “Children and young people with disabilities, and their families, often face significant barriers to inclusion in community life, with mainstream environmental and creative activities rarely being adapted to meet their needs.

“This project will provide a safe, inclusive space where our children can take part in hands-on environmental activities and engage in sensory-rich play while also learning about local wildlife and sustainability.

“Decorating the planters also adds a creative, confidence-building element to it and we can’t wait how our young people decide to express themselves.”

The project, named Bees & Butterflies, is funded by a £2,000 grant from the Banks Group’s Banks Community Fund, which will pay for materials, seeds, tools, and staffing.

The Sensory Place was established in 2019 by parents and carers seeking more inclusive opportunities for their children.

While most participants are from Durham and Sunderland, families from Washington, South Tyneside, and Newcastle also take part.

In addition to its youth programmes, the charity hosts events for parents and carers, creating a supportive space for those with shared experiences.

Ms Henderson said that involving the wider community is an important part of the project.

She said: “We hope that involving local residents with the project will help to bring the community together by breaking down the barriers that can sometimes exist between families with disabled children and people who might not have any personal experience of meeting them.

“We try to keep our costs as low as possible, so that activities remain accessible to everyone who might enjoy them, and we’re really grateful to the Banks Group for helping us take this new project forward.”

The charity is inviting residents to help decorate the planters and to take one home once they begin to flower in the spring and summer.

Kate Culverhouse, community relations manager at the Banks Group, said: “The Sensory Place team has a deep personal understanding of the needs of young people with disabilities and their families, and offers an extensive range of inclusive and engaging activities which help to meet them.

“The Bees & Butterflies project will not only give the young people a great chance to enjoy some hands-on learning, but it will also have a wider positive impact on the local community when the planters come into full bloom in residents’ homes.”

For more information about the project, visit www.thesensoryplace.net or email hello@thesensoryplace.net.