There was great excitement at the Cork Association for Autism (CAA) on Friday last when the Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr. John Paul O’Shea officially opened their sensory gardens at Greenville House, Carrigtwohill.
Greenville House is a service centre for adults on the autistic spectrum which was opened in 1991 and the sensory garden was recently developed with the help of corporate funding. Clients will greatly benefit from exposure to the sensory gardens as it will provide them with a safe way for them to explore their senses.
After cutting the ribbon and being given a tour of the gardens by Emma Hutchinson the Horticultural Manager at the CAA, the Mayor got a go on the swing which had been co-funded by the Cork County Council as part of their Amenity Grant Scheme. The Mayor then joined staff at a party in the gardens where they enjoyed fresh strawberries and cream. The strawberries were grown in Greenville by the horticultural team who work with clients on gardening projects which have proved to be very therapeutic. Clients take part in many activities in Greenville from art, woodwork, drama and dance and are taught independent living skills at the centre. Before the Mayor left he was presented with a piece of pottery which was made by a client at the centre.
Marion Courtney Fundraising Manager at the Cork Association for Autism says ‘we would like to extend a big thanks to the companies that helped develop our gardens and the Cork County Council for their support. These gardens will be used by our clients and staff for many years to come and we look forward to working with more companies in the future in helping to develop our centres’.
For more information on how your company can get involved log onto www.corkautism.ie or call 021 4533642.
Emma Hutchinson Horticultural Manager at the Cork Association for Autism with the Mayor of Co Cork Cllr. John Paul O’Shea at the official opening of the Sensory Gardens at Greenville House. Photo by John Grant
The Mayor of Co Cork Cllr. John Paul O’Shea giving Emma Hutchinson Horticultural Manager at the Cork Association for Autism a helping hand at the opening of their sensory gardens at Greenville House. Photo by John Grant
