New roundabout for special needs centre Swings & Smiles, Thatcham

Enhancements have been made to a special needs charity garden in Thatcham.

A new roundabout has been installed at Swings & Smiles on Lower Way.

The charity garden, built through various fundraising initiatives, has been taking shape since 2017 when it relocated from the Phoenix Centre in Newbury.

The accessible roundabout was unveiled on Wednesday, July 6, but had already been in use.

Play leader Sarah Stokes who has been with the charity for almost a year said: “There has been a brilliant response.”

The roundabout is fully accessible for wheelchair use and she said the new garden addition was “massive” for home schooled groups.

“It is a chance for them to come and socialise like you would at school," she added. "They can chat to us, bond with other children.

“They have just been playing games and interacting with other children that they may not have spoken to before, so it’s really good.

“We can go on there with them and experience it together. It is fantastic.”

She also commented on the sensory benefits for those who wouldn’t have the same experience if they went to a mainstream park.

The project was funded by Openworks Foundation and West Berkshire Lottery community fund and was on the Good Exchange, benefitting from match funding by Greenham Trust and a grant from Peter Baker Foundation.

Senior fundraiser and volunteer manager Jo Ramsay​ said: "The other play equipment was funded on The Good Exchange with funders including Englefield Trust and Greenham Trust, as well as other community grants, community fundraising and individual donations.

"David Wilson homes was also a huge supporter of the outside work."