Construction begins on surprise garden for Haywards Heath family

Construction has begun this week on a surprise sensory garden for a Haywards Heath family in need.
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Local businesses are joining forces with the Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity to design and build a surprise garden for the Taylor Johnson family, whose five-year-old son Joshua has severe complex physical and neurological disabilities. The surprise will also help mark the charity’s 20th anniversary this month.

Lockdown has affected many families, but for those without access to a garden, staying home has undoubtedly been a challenge.

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Sussex-based landscaping firm Conquest Spaces set out to do something for the community and asked the Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity to refer a family in need of a new garden.

A landscaping firm (Conquest Landscapes who have won gold at RHS Chelsea and won the BBC Gardeners Word Live People’s Choice) reached out to the Dame Vera Lynn Children's Family to ask them if they could refer a family in desperate need of a new garden SUS-200812-145938001A landscaping firm (Conquest Landscapes who have won gold at RHS Chelsea and won the BBC Gardeners Word Live People’s Choice) reached out to the Dame Vera Lynn Children's Family to ask them if they could refer a family in desperate need of a new garden SUS-200812-145938001
A landscaping firm (Conquest Landscapes who have won gold at RHS Chelsea and won the BBC Gardeners Word Live People’s Choice) reached out to the Dame Vera Lynn Children's Family to ask them if they could refer a family in desperate need of a new garden SUS-200812-145938001

Joshua Taylor Johnson is blind and unable to move without constant support, but he loves the sensory experience that comes from being outside. Unfortunately, the family’s garden consists of a steep, uneven slope, making it impossible for them to take Joshua out in his walking frame. The family have attempted to build ramps and a patio; however, they were forced to abandon works due to high costs. As a result, Joshua spends most of his time inside.

Mum Louise Taylor Johnson said: “Not having a suitable garden for Joshua makes us feel incredibly guilty as parents.

“Not being able to provide him with a basic space he can enjoy and learn in is always made worse when he hears the neighbour’s children playing outside.

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“Landscaping our garden would be a complete game-changer for Josh, allowing him to meet key milestones such as walking which he loves to do when we can hold him.

A landscaping firm (Conquest Landscapes who have won gold at RHS Chelsea and won the BBC Gardeners Word Live People’s Choice) reached out to the Dame Vera Lynn Children's Family to ask them if they could refer a family in desperate need of a new garden SUS-200812-145928001A landscaping firm (Conquest Landscapes who have won gold at RHS Chelsea and won the BBC Gardeners Word Live People’s Choice) reached out to the Dame Vera Lynn Children's Family to ask them if they could refer a family in desperate need of a new garden SUS-200812-145928001
A landscaping firm (Conquest Landscapes who have won gold at RHS Chelsea and won the BBC Gardeners Word Live People’s Choice) reached out to the Dame Vera Lynn Children's Family to ask them if they could refer a family in desperate need of a new garden SUS-200812-145928001

“We’d love to be able to encourage him to crawl and walk freely with his equipment and get the most out of being in a safe space. He loves all sensory aspects of the local wildlife trust gardens, especially everything he hears such as the trickling of water or the wind in the trees.”

Ross Conquest, MD of Conquest Creative Spaces, said: “We could immediately see how the sloped landscape made their outdoor space completely inaccessible.

“Every child should be able to go outside into the fresh air and feel connected to nature, and we are so excited to create a beautiful, safe garden for Josh and his family to enjoy.

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“It’s truly amazing to see so many businesses contributing materials to help us bring the design to reality; everything from paving stones and plants to timber and resin pathways. We wouldn’t have been able to do any of this without their donations.”

A landscaping firm (Conquest Landscapes who have won gold at RHS Chelsea and won the BBC Gardeners Word Live People’s Choice) reached out to the Dame Vera Lynn Children's Family to ask them if they could refer a family in desperate need of a new garden SUS-200812-145948001A landscaping firm (Conquest Landscapes who have won gold at RHS Chelsea and won the BBC Gardeners Word Live People’s Choice) reached out to the Dame Vera Lynn Children's Family to ask them if they could refer a family in desperate need of a new garden SUS-200812-145948001
A landscaping firm (Conquest Landscapes who have won gold at RHS Chelsea and won the BBC Gardeners Word Live People’s Choice) reached out to the Dame Vera Lynn Children's Family to ask them if they could refer a family in desperate need of a new garden SUS-200812-145948001

Construction began this week, with the full design of the garden being kept a secret from the family, so they can enjoy the full surprise when the finished piece is unveiled tomorrow (Friday).

The designers have revealed that the garden will include a low maintenance structural planting scheme, with a yellow and purple colour palette that offers a sensory experience, with edibles, scented climbers and multi-stem feature trees. Gently curving footpaths are ideal for the garden’s steep gradient and will make the whole area wheelchair friendly.

An outdoor dining area and garden seating means that Joshua can spend time outside with visiting friends and family, with a sheltered activity play space towards the bottom of the garden.

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