Oxford North volunteers come together to create new sensory garden at Wolvercote Primary School and revamp Young People's Club

Both Wolvercote Primary School and nearbyWolvercote Young People’s Club have been given a new lease of life thanks to a major community initiative led by Oxford North, the city’s new flagship innovation distriction, working alongside the project’s construction partners Mace, Maylim, Careys, LockMetal and The Hill Group.

In August last year, volunteers from across the project team came together to create a brand-new SEND sensory garden at Wolvercote Primary School and to improve Wolvercote Young People’s Club building and outdoor space.

The garden was designed by Maylim, the landscape contractor working for Mace, which together have delivered Fallaize Park, the new public park at Oxford North. The new sensory garden is a safe, nurturing environment where children with special educational needs can explore textures, smells, and sounds to support their learning and wellbeing. It has provided an outdoor classroom and recreation space that will connect young people to nature, new learning opportunities, and a calm space in which to create new routines.

A number of the climate-resistant plants that have been used in Fallaize Park have been planted in the primary school’s new garden to create a connection for the children when they visit.

The refreshed young people’s club grounds now offer a welcoming, vibrant space for the young people and families who use it.

During the course of two weeks, 43 people volunteered for more than 531 hours to deliver both projects. The initiative demonstrated how real estate development can deliver positive social value for local communities through place-based volunteering, with people coming together to support children and young people in meaningful ways.

Mandy Hayes, headteacher, Wolvercote Primary School said: “We’re seeing more children with complex needs, and this sensory garden will make a huge difference for them. It provides a safe, dedicated space where they can be themselves, explore the world in new ways, and develop their confidence. Without the generosity of partners and volunteers, we could never have achieved this within our school budget. It’s heartening to see people give their time and energy for our children - it shows what can happen when the community comes together to help.”

Victoria Collett, development director, Thomas White Oxford: “Oxford North isn’t just about creating buildings - it’s about becoming part of the community. By working with Wolvercote Primary School and the Young People’s Club, we’ve been able to support local families and contribute to the life of this wonderful place. Seeing our partners and volunteers roll up their sleeves to help has been inspiring. It shows that development can go hand in hand with real community benefit, creating spaces that belong to everyone. I extend my sincere thanks to the whole team”

Val Tate, chair, Wolvercote Young People’s Club, added: “The difference this has made is enormous. Our building and grounds now look cared for and inviting, encouraging more young people and families to come through our doors. The support from Oxford North and its partners has helped us see how we can grow into a true community hub – a place where generations meet, learn, and support each other. It’s about helping people, and that’s what community is all about.”

Tom Storey, social value consultant, Storey Consulting, who joined the volunteering work with his team, said: “This project shows the real impact of place-based volunteering. It takes leadership, commitment, and a shared belief that development should leave a lasting, positive legacy. What’s been achieved here is more than just a garden or a building – it’s about connecting communities, creating connections and showing what’s possible when people come together. That spirit of collaboration will continue to shape Oxford North and its role within the wider community.”

Jack Lawrence, senior social value manager, Mace, who helped to deliver the project said: “This is just the kind of project we aspire to be part of, enabling us to utilise the expertise held within Mace and our supply chain. The collaborative approach taken at Oxford North has enabled us to deliver a far larger project than any of the individual organisations involved could have undertaken on their own. We are proud and happy to know that the children can enjoy what we have created.”

The project is led by Oxford North Ventures, the joint venture of Thomas White Oxford, the development company of St John’s College, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and Stanhope.

This initiative forms part of Oxford North Ventures’ wider Engage programme which is a commitment to ensuring that Oxford North is built not just for today, but as a lasting part of the community for generations to come.

The project totalled £12,000 for materials of which £1,000 was for the plants with the social value generated by the contributions totalling £79,361 according to Mace’s social value calculator.

Extending the sensory theme, IF Oxford brought the popular Glow Gallery to the Wolvercote Young People’s Club Christmas fair to explore the science of rainbows. Children and adults of all ages experimented with lasers, LEDs and phosphorescent boards to capture the essence light in a playful and creative spectroscopic activity.

Dane Comerford, Director IF Oxford said; “The Glow Gallery is a great way to introduce science and ideas while people are thinking of coloured fairy lights and darker nights. Especially turning on its head the idea that blue light is a cold light, because a blue flame is much hotter than a ‘cooler’ red glow. It’s little puzzles about colour and energy, that aren’t every day, that more than two hundred people seemed to enjoy while playing with shadow and time and the science of light, during this Festive neighbourhood party.”