'We are Beams' is a local charity based in the Province of West Kent, their aim is to provide sensory garden and play equipment for disabled children and young people in the community. Beams provide comprehensive support services to children and young people who typically have one or more learning difficulty, complex health needs, physical or sensory impairment, challenging behaviour, autism or severe ADHD. Beams supports around 450 families across the county at any one time.
As Freemasons, we are driven strongly by the need to help and support others, and there is no better and more worthwhile cause than supporting the most vulnerable in our community. That is why supporting this charity and in particular this sensory garden appeal was so close to our hearts.
The West Kent Freemasons donated a total of £5,000 to support with the building of a Plant a Smile new Sensory Garden. With our support the 'We are Beams' charity have been able to finally commence the work on this much needed and inspirational garden transformation project.
The work commenced in late 2022 and is due to be completed by early 2023. The below YouTube video shows time lapse footage of the progress so far:
Plant a Smile, Stage 1 YouTube video.
The snapshot of how things are going looks really exciting and we can see that the donation provided by the West Kent Freemasons is going directly towards making a significant difference to the lives of disabled children and young people. The new garden will include flowers and objects to stimulate senses and create an area to explore, as well as provide for specialist play equipment, a vegetable patch to teach children to care for plants and promote self-confidence. The new garden will also feature a quiet space and a community area for socialising.
Following the start of the project, we heard directly from the Charities Trust Fundraising Officer, Maria Austen who said as follows:
'We are extremely grateful for your donation which will help us to create a new space for children to learn, socialise and develop life skills in a safe and fun environment'.
The new garden will include up-to-date equipment utilising the space available to best effect, the delivery of this Freemason funded project will greatly benefit the children and young people receiving care and support from the 'We are Beams' charity.
West Kent Freemasons are extremely proud to be able to make such a visible and positive difference within our community, and with We are Beams supporting 450 parents and children at any one time, you know that the impact of our work to support this Sensory Garden appeal will be felt for years to come and make a tangible positive contribution to children’s lives.
To view what the garden will look like when complete, visit the 'We are Beams' YouTube page here.
