Empowering Minds Through Garden Innovation
Creating a Garden Oasis for Mental Wellness
Join us in transforming our space into a tranquil retreat that fosters mindfulness, positivity, and growth.
About Our Garden
Nurturing Holistic Growth and Wellness
At 'Our Garden', we will keep you up to date with our spearheaded innovative initiative; the vibrant garden space at Merchants Secondary School. We aim to provide students with a serene oasis amidst their academic schedules, fostering mindfulness and engagement in gardening practices, and offer an inclusive space to support SEND and behaviour restoration
1.5k+
Students Engaged
95%
Positive Feedback
100+
Growth Stories
Mindful Gardening Practices
students will engage in mindful gardening to cultivate essential life skills and positive mental health. Students will enjoy cooking with the ingredients that they grow and will produce a recipe book to celebrate all of their culinary successes
Educational Hub
Explore environmental concepts and the origins of food at our garden oasis.
SEND Support
Tailored programs to work with SEND students and promote inclusivity in garden activities.
Regulation Compliance
Adherence to regulations to ensure a safe and inclusive garden environment for all.
Who We Are?
Where did the idea start?
Merchants Academy is located in the heart of Withywood, South Bristol. Established in 2008, the school replaced the former Withywood Community School. The academy comprises seven distinct buildings surrounding a central concrete courtyard.
There is a plot of land between two of these buildings with the potential for development into a green space, which could address various needs of the school. As an enthusiastic food teacher, I am particularly interested in utilising this plot to grow produce for the kitchen and to educate young people about the origins of their food. My interest is further fueled by research indicating the benefits of green spaces in enhancing learning, supporting behavioural needs, aiding students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and improving mental health.
Green spaces contribute significantly to our mental and physical well-being, offer opportunities for physical activity and social interaction, and play a vital role in purifying the air and water.
VISIT 0NE
BDP Architects Visit Merchants Academy: A Vision for a Green Future
In the summer of 2023, Merchants Academy had the privilege of hosting a visit from BDP Architects. The team was invited to assess a plot of land on the school grounds, and their immediate recognition of its potential was both inspiring and invigorating.
As they toured the site, the architects were particularly captivated by the view from the building, which opens up to a lush green landscape. This scenic vista sparked their imagination, and they proposed an innovative idea to bring this greenery into the heart of the school. Their vision includes a series of framed structures that seamlessly integrate the natural beauty of the surroundings with the school’s architecture.
Our discussions with BDP Architects centered around several exciting possibilities. We explored the idea of creating a space where students can grow produce, which can later be used in our kitchen. This initiative not only aims to educate students about the origins of their food but also promotes sustainability.
Moreover, the proposed green space would serve as a safe and interactive area designed to support students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) as well as those dealing with mental health challenges. By providing a calming and engaging environment, the space would contribute significantly to the well-being of our students.
BDP Architects also emphasized the importance of sustainability and environmental responsibility in their design. Their goal is to create a space that is not only functional and beautiful but also environmentally sound.
During their visit, the architects took numerous photographs and collected detailed observations. They have since been working on inspiration boards that feature imagery of potential structures and focused areas for us to consider. These boards will serve as a foundation for further discussions and planning as we move forward with this exciting project.
We are thrilled about the possibilities this collaboration brings and look forward to transforming our vision into reality, creating a green, sustainable, and supportive space for all our students.
VISITING BDP
An Inspiring Visit to BDP: Shaping the Future of Our School Garden
In May 2024, a group from Merchants Academy had the remarkable opportunity to visit the Bristol office of BDP Architects. We were warmly welcomed into their calm and serene workspace, setting the tone for an inspiring day.
Our visit began with an introduction to BDP by Dave Martin and Orsi Kocsis, who provided an overview of the company's ethos, history, and impressive portfolio. We were genuinely enthralled by their expertise and the breadth of their work. BDP’s commitment to sustainability, unique design approaches, and the integration of beautiful, purposeful green spaces into their projects left us in awe.
The highlight of the visit was a series of creative workshops led by Dave, Orsi and his team. They guided us through the process of creating concepts and annotating inspiration boards with elements that resonated with us. This hands-on approach allowed us to actively participate in shaping ideas for our school’s garden.
Next, we split into two groups to design our own concepts for one of the garden areas. This exercise was both terrifying and exhilarating, pushing us out of our comfort zones and sparking our creativity. It was a fantastic experience that allowed us to see the design process from a professional perspective.
After presenting our concepts to the BDP team, we had the exciting opportunity to bring our ideas to life in 3D. Using plasticine, wooden sticks, faux foliage, and a variety of crafting materials, we constructed a visual representation of our envisioned garden on a large-scale plan of the area. This hands-on activity was not only epic but also incredibly insightful, as it helped us visualize how our ideas could be transformed into reality.
We took numerous photos to capture the essence of our designs before returning to school, confident that we had effectively communicated our aspirations for the garden. We left our ideas in the capable hands of the BDP team, knowing that their expertise and creativity would bring our vision to fruition.
Thank you to everyone at BDP for an amazing experience. Your hospitality and guidance have truly inspired us, and we are excited to see how our collaborative efforts will shape the future of our school garden.
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