Everton Ambassador Graham Stuart has officially opened a brand-new sensory garden at Centre 56 in Kirkdale, a specialist nursery supporting children and families affected by domestic abuse and crisis situations.
The newly transformed green space provides a welcoming and therapeutic outdoor environment designed to promote calm, comfort, and play. Stuart marked the occasion by cutting the ribbon in front of beaming staff and grateful parents, celebrating the completion of the much-anticipated project.
Graham said:
“As someone who was fortunate to grow up with an abundance of green field space, I can fully appreciate how important it is to have somewhere like this as a haven.
“The new sensory garden looks magnificent and I’m sure the children, their parents and the staff here will get a huge amount of enjoyment from the calming atmosphere it helps to generate.”
Designed and built by the award-winning firm Gardens by Peter Lloyd, the sensory garden has been carefully created with wellbeing at its core. The space features pollinator-friendly plants, edible herbs, a wildflower meadow, and inclusive seating areas, all curated to foster connection, relaxation, and healing.
Peter Lloyd, Designer and Managing Director of Gardens by Peter Lloyd, said:
“This garden is more than a visual space – it’s an experience designed to help children feel safe, calm and connected. I’m delighted to have been able to help this nursery, which has such a long history and to support green spaces in Kirkdale – a community that means a great deal to me.”
For over 50 years, Centre 56 has been a lifeline for families across Liverpool, offering specialist childcare, emotional support and practical assistance to those escaping domestic abuse. As a registered charity, it provides a vital safe haven, combining early years education, counselling, and referrals to refuge services, helping families rebuild with dignity and hope.
The garden was made possible through funding from the Burbo Bank Extension Community Fund, managed by GrantScape.
Claire Essame, Service Manager at Centre 56, added:
“We were keen to create a calm and relaxing space where we could go with our families to chat about their experiences and the support they might need.
“At the same time, we wanted to design an environment that sparks children’s curiosity, stimulates their senses, and encourages local wildlife to flourish. This unique space not only enriches their learning opportunities but also nurtures their emotional health and wellbeing, an essential part of our mission at Centre 56.
“The garden is a wonderful addition to our centre, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone for their efforts.”
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