Kevin Mulligan, Service Manager at Wirral Autistic Society’s Community Health and Wellbeing Department reports on the recent opening of the teams’ hard work of our Glacial Rock Display and Pond Access Projects in Thurstaston.
“On Monday 6th July, the Lord Mayor of Wirral officially opened the Glacial Rock Display and Pond Access Projects at Thurstaston. These are the two projects the Community Development Monday group have been working on over the past two years and have finally completed, with the help of other service users from the department dropping in as a part of their Duke of Edinburgh and Gate Way Awards.
The two projects have been funded by Love Wirral and the Wirral West Public Health Grant Fund respectively. Despite some heavy rain, we had a great turnout with 13 of the volunteers who have worked so hard, their families and staff, local councillors, Robin Bush and the Lord Mayor.
For a few moments the rain eased off slightly so we took the opportunity to head outside for the opening of the first project – the Glacial Rock and Cliff Top Access Path. Under umbrellas, the Lord Mayor thanked everybody who had worked so hard and said how pleased he was that the path enabled more people to enjoy the coastal views and appreciate the display of glacial rocks. He then cut the ribbon and everybody took a walk along the path.
Back inside we watched a video presentation of how the group completed the two projects. From start to finish, we had documented the effort and team work it took with photos and videos. Many of the clients spoke, or signed, in the video to say what they had done, learnt and got out of being involved in the projects.
Also, each of the volunteers had earned their John Muir Explorer Awards for their contribution to conservation and these were presented by Robin Bush and the Lord Mayor. The day was completed with a buffet and the chance for everybody to look around the displays and recognise what they had achieved over the last two years.”
