Bournville Village Trust’s (BVT) Chair of Trustees, Caroline Cadbury, has opened a new community garden in Bournville named after her great grandfather.

Caroline, who is the great granddaughter of BVT’s founder George Cadbury, had the pleasure of opening Maple House School’s George Cadbury Community Garden on 23rd May.

The opening of the garden coincided with the grand official opening of the school, which became part of the Bournville community in January this year.

Situated in the former Day Continuation College, Maple House School is an Independent Special School for children aged 5 to 19 with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), Social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) or similar needs, including high levels of anxiety/trauma.

The school’s vision, and passion, is to change education for children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) and their families through a bespoke learning curriculum and therapeutic approach.

Members of the local community were invited to the opening, where they also had the opportunity to view the school, meet staff and tour the wonderful building, which is 100 years old this year.

Caroline Cadbury, Chair of Trustees at Bournville Village Trust, said: “It was a real pleasure to open the George Cadbury Community Garden and to meet so many wonderful members of staff and the families and children who are already benefiting greatly from Maple House School.

“George Cadbury had a passion for education and lifelong learning, so it feels very apt that the community garden has been named in his honour.

“He wanted to inspire a love of learning, and of understanding the world around us, so we can better connect with nature and with each other. And I hope this beautiful garden space is enjoyed by members of the school community, and the wider local community, for many years to come.”

Jayson Rawlings, Headteacher of Maple House School, said: “We are really happy to open the George Cadbury Community Garden, which will form part of our wider community offer.

“This offer also includes a café that our upper school children will run as part of their Active Citizens Life Skills programme.

“The programme allows our children to gain work experience and build confidence and communication skills, so they leave Maple House School as independent confident young adults.”

The community garden will be open to members of the community to enjoy at weekends and when the school isn’t open and will feature seating areas and a variety of plants.

SEND Socials Birmingham will also run activities from the school during school holidays for children and families with SEND. They will also make use of the community garden.

For more information about Maple House School, please go to www.maplehouseschool.com or follow the school on Facebook at www.facebook.com/maplehouseschool

For information about SEND Socials Birmingham, go to https://sendsocialsbirmingham.co.uk/