Students Celebrate New Greenhouse!

On Wednesday 4th May Walsall College students were joined by the Mayor of Walsall, Councillor Gary Clarke, for a launch event to celebrate the opening of a brand new specialist greenhouse.

The greenhouse, which has specialist equipment that makes it accessible to wheelchair users, has been purchased from local firm Betta Buildings, with a £5000 grant from the Grassroots Grants funding scheme.

The Grassroots Grants funding scheme, administered by the Birmingham and Black Country Community Foundation, supports low income groups at the very heart of local communities. Groups that are volunteer-led and have an annual turnover of less than £20,000 per annum were able to apply for a cash injection of up to £5000 to radically boost their work.

The funding was awarded to the College’s ’101 Club’, a registered charity initially inspired by six Walsall College students with physical and learning disabilities. The students undertook 101 challenges many people take for granted to raise sponsorship money for new facilities, and the 101 Club charity is assisting the students in continuing their fundraising mission.

During the ceremony many of the people who have worked to make the 101 project a success were presented with certificates and awards. The event also gave more people the opportunity to pledge money for the 101 Club and supplies for the greenhouse, including current Mayor of Walsall, Councillor Gary Clarke; Caroline Crolley, Local Assessor for Grassroots; Brian Lowe, College Governor; and the College’s Students’ Union. The total amount raised on the day was an impressive £3393, which will be added to the 101 Club’s funds.

Deborah Tovey, Inclusive Support Manager at Walsall College and project coordinator, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be opening our new greenhouse that will be accessible to all students across the College. The greenhouse will make a huge difference for Supporting Learning students, giving them access to activities they would not have had the opportunity to participate in before. It will provide Supported Learning students with an area where they can create their own enterprise, making and selling a range of items, such as hanging baskets

“Support for the project has been exceptional, far surpassing original expectations, with the Mayor of Walsall, Councillor Gary Clarke selecting ‘101’ as one of his chosen charities, along with a range of support and donations from local people and businesses. I have also received interest from other colleges interested in finding out how the project worked, so they can begin similar projects themselves”

Chair of the 101 Club, Judith Ashley commented: “This high quality greenhouse was purchased from a local business, specialising in all types of bespoke outdoor buildings. The students are all very keen to start using the greenhouse in the Supported Learning gardens. The new facility will add dignity to gardening and make it accessible to all”.