22/10/2026
🌿 WE HAVE SOME HUGE NEWS TO SHARE AT BRODY'S TRUST! 🌿
OUR NEXT BIG PROJECT IS HERE, AND WE NEED YOUR HELP TO MAKE IT HAPPEN!
If you know us by now, you'll know that when we get an idea in our heads, we tend to run with it!
And this one is going to be something very special!
After months of planning, meetings, ideas and designs, we are FINALLY ready to share our plans for the Brody's Trust Sensory Garden!
JUST LOOK AT WHAT WE ARE HOPING TO CREATE!
But this is about so much more than making a beautiful garden.
It's about creating a space where children and families can come together, explore, learn, play, relax and make memories, no matter how differently they see the world.
We want children to feel the grass beneath their feet, hear the gentle sound of running water, smell the flowers, grow their own vegetables, discover nature and experience things they may never have had the opportunity to do before.
We want parents to have somewhere they can sit and enjoy watching their children play, without worrying about whether the space is suitable for them.
We want siblings to have fun together.
And we want families to have somewhere they can simply enjoy being a family.
THIS GARDEN IS BEING DESIGNED TO BE ENJOYED ALL YEAR ROUND, NOT JUST WHEN THE SUN IS SHINING!
With sheltered areas, accessible pathways, outdoor learning spaces, sensory experiences and quiet places to relax, we want it to offer something different through every season.
And because this is Brody's Trust, we want it to grow with us.
Grow with our children. Grow with our families. And remember the children who are no longer with us.
One of the most special parts of this whole project for me personally is the Memory Garden.
As a mum who has lost her beautiful boy, Brody, this part means more to me than I can ever really put into words.
I know what it's like to have a child who is no longer here. I know that feeling of wanting somewhere you can go, sit quietly, remember them and just feel close to them for a little while.
And I know there are other mums, dads and families who carry that same love and loss every single day.
That's why I want this garden to have somewhere for our children who are no longer with us. Somewhere peaceful, with flowing water, pebbles, beautiful planting and a place where families can sit, remember, talk about their children or simply have a quiet moment.
Because our children may no longer be here for us to hold, but they will always be part of our lives, and they deserve to be remembered.
This part of the garden will always have a very special place in my heart.
💚 A MASSIVE SHOUT-OUT TO LEAF CREATIVE GARDENS! 💚
Before we go any further, we have to say an enormous THANK YOU to Peter and the team at Leaf Creative Gardens!
From the very beginning, they listened to our ideas, understood what we wanted to achieve and, most importantly, understood why this garden means so much to us.
They have taken all those ideas running around in our heads and turned them into these incredible designs!
And the fact that they have kindly donated their time and the garden design to Brody's Trust makes it even more special.
Thank you for believing in what we are trying to create and helping us take another huge step towards making it happen.
Just look at what they've designed for our children and families!
🌿 SO HOW ARE WE GOING TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN?
We have decided to tackle this huge project in THREE SECTIONS!
🌸 SECTION 1 – THE MEMORY GARDEN
A beautiful, peaceful space for families to remember, reflect and spend time surrounded by nature.
With flowing water, pebbles, beautiful planting and somewhere to sit quietly, this will be a very special part of Brody's Trust.
🌱 SECTION 2 – THE KITCHEN GARDEN
A greenhouse, raised vegetable beds, fruit trees and growing areas where children can get their hands dirty, plant seeds, watch things grow and learn where their food comes from.
Imagine children being able to grow their own vegetables, pick them and then use what they've grown in cooking activities!
🌳 SECTION 3 – THE MAIN SENSORY GARDEN
This is the BIG one!
An outdoor classroom, woodland water features, a bridge, accessible pathways, sensory planting, colourful seating areas and lots of wonderful spaces for children and families to discover.
Somewhere to learn, play, explore, enjoy nature or simply sit and take everything in.
AND WE ARE HOPING TO GET STARTED IN EARLY 2027!
Now, if you've followed our journey, you'll know that we don't give up easily.
We have taken an old school building and started turning it into somewhere really special for children and families.
And we are certainly not stopping now!
BUT THIS IS WHERE WE NEED YOU!
We know this is a huge project, and we cannot do it all on our own.
We are looking for local businesses, tradespeople, suppliers and anyone who might be able to help us bring these plans to life.
Could your business donate some materials?
Could you offer a day or two of labour?
Could you help with timber, stone, paving, plants, soil, machinery, landscaping, building work, carpentry, plumbing or electrics?
Could you supply something at a reduced cost?
Or perhaps you know someone who could help?
YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A BIG COMPANY OR MAKE A BIG DONATION TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Sometimes it's the smallest offers of help that make the biggest difference.
And we would absolutely love to have local people and businesses involved in creating something that will benefit families for years to come.
We have already raised £52,900 towards the garden, and we are working hard on grant applications and fundraising to keep that growing.
NOW WE WANT TO GET THE WHOLE COMMUNITY INVOLVED!
Imagine being able to walk through this garden in a few years' time and say, "I helped make that happen."
That's what we would love.
A garden built not just for our community, but WITH our community.
So please, have a good look through these amazing designs.
🌿 TAG a local business that might be able to help.
🌿 SHARE this post far and wide.
🌿 GET IN TOUCH if you can offer materials, skills, time or support.
And even if you can't help directly, sharing this post could put us in touch with someone who can.
We have big dreams for Brody's Trust, but everything we do comes back to one thing.
THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.
Every child deserves somewhere they can play, explore, learn and feel they belong.
And we are determined to make that happen.
LET'S BUILD SOMETHING AMAZING TOGETHER!
📍 Brody's Trust, School Road, Lydbrook, Forest of Dean
📧 [email protected]
Registered Charity No. 1206710
