TEXO Foundation Brings New Life to Glenlaw House Sensory Garden

As part of the TEXO Foundation’s 5th-anniversary celebrations, our team recently undertook a truly heartwarming project at Glenlaw House in Dundee, in partnership with the Archie Foundation. This initiative, one of four key projects planned for the year, was specifically designed to allow our staff to get hands-on and utilize their diverse skills for a meaningful cause.

Glenlaw House provides an invaluable “home from home” respite for families grappling with life-limiting conditions, offering exceptional care for children with complex medical needs. For too long, their outdoor sensory garden, a crucial element for children’s wellbeing, had sadly fallen into disrepair. It desperately needed a ‘TEXO Garden SOS!’

Our dedicated team of approximately 40 staff members orchestrated what can only be described as a “militarily-planned garden renovation.” Play equipment, including swings and roundabouts, were meticulously transported to our fabrication facility in Dundee for expert repairs and a vibrant repaint. Simultaneously, the garden itself underwent a complete transformation on-site. Fresh paint, new pathways, and countless hours of hard work have revitalised the space, creating a truly stimulating and enhanced environment that will cater to the children’s educational and therapeutic needs.

The refurbishment focused on several key areas to ensure a safe, stimulating, and inclusive space:

• Ensuring Safe and Inclusive Play: A key focus was the repair of a non-functioning wheelchair swing, prioritised to ensure all children have access to inclusive play.
• Providing Essential Shade: Understanding the vulnerability of some children to sun exposure, a much-needed shading solution for the gazebo area was included, offering a protected space while maintaining an open feel.
• Reclaiming Playful Pathways: Overgrown bushes that restricted movement were carefully trimmed and maintained to create clearer pathways and expand the usable play area, allowing for imaginative games like “Bear Hunt”.
• Honouring Memories in a Tranquil Space: The existing memorial garden was thoughtfully restored with new glass statues and elements, creating a more lasting and serene space for reflection.
• Awakening the Senses: The planting scheme was revitalised with fragrant plants like lavender and rosemary for calming aromas, and brightly colored flowers and reflective objects for visual and tactile exploration, creating a richer therapeutic environment.

The impact of this project on the Glenlaw House community is immeasurable. As Paula Cormack, Chief Executive of The Archie Foundation, beautifully put it: “I’ve just visited the refurbished garden at Glenlaw House, what an incredible job you and the guys/girls have done. Everything has been so meticulously planned with such thought, care and kindness. Thank you so very very much. This difference you’ve made for the staff and families is genuinely priceless. Thank you so much and please pass on my deepest thanks to all involved.”

Rebecca Duncan, Business Development and Fundraising Manager for The Archie Foundation, echoed this sentiment: “What an incredible team you are TEXO! Thunder, lightning and torrential rain didn’t stop your determination to transform the garden for children with severe, complex, medical needs at Glenlaw House! You’re the best bunch and an absolute inspiration! I can’t wait for the children, families and staff at Glenlaw House to enjoy the sensory space you’re creating for them! It’s amazing to see the difference you’ve made in two days! Massive credit to you for pulling it all together and inspiring a whole team of people to get involved. I can’t thank you all enough. It will make such an impact on the families and staff and it’s honestly such a special project for me, this is a wee moment in my work that I’ll not forget!”

The TEXO Foundation believes that access to engaging and safe outdoor spaces is crucial for the physical, emotional, and cognitive development of children facing health challenges. This sensory garden makeover at Glenlaw House truly embodies our commitment to providing these vital opportunities, creating a haven where children can experience joy, engage with their surroundings, and connect with nature, ultimately contributing to their overall wellbeing.