On Wednesday 9th July 2025, we officially opened our new sensory garden at Centre 56 nursery, a beautiful, calming, and healing space created for children and families affected by domestic abuse.
The new Sensory Garden has been designed and built by multi award-winning landscape firm Gardens by Peter Lloyd. Developed with the wellbeing of children and families in mind, the garden offers a safe, relaxing space that engages the senses through nature. With its vibrant, pollinator-friendly planting, edible herbs, wildflower meadow and inclusive seating areas, the space has been carefully crafted to promote recovery, reflection and play.
The opening event was attended by local councillors, partner organisations and supporters. Councillor Joe Hanson, from Kirkdale West, spoke about the wider benefits of green space in urban communities.
Everton FC Ambassador Graham Stuart officially opened the garden with a ribbon cutting, to symbolise hope, inclusion and new beginnings. Graham reflected on the importance of safe outdoor spaces for children and the long-term impact this garden could have on young lives.
Though not open to the public, this space will now provide a lasting refuge for children, families at Centre 56 and a sanctuary for connection, curiosity, and calm.
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. Through biodiversity and sensory planting, we’ve created a place that nurtures wellbeing and celebrates nature’s ability to heal. 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.”
The project was made possible thanks to funding from the Burbo Bank Extension Community Fund, managed by GrantScape. This vital support enabled the full delivery of the garden, providing Centre 56 with a long-lasting outdoor resource to aid the recovery and wellbeing of the people they serve.
Claire Essame, Service Manager at Centre 56, said:
“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 the Burbo Bank Extension Community Fund, Gardens by Peter Lloyd, and everyone that donated to Running the Railways, for helping us bring this vision to life.”
This latest community project follows a growing legacy of inclusive, sustainable spaces created by Gardens by Peter Lloyd, whose work spans sensory design, conservation landscaping and social impact projects across the Liverpool City Region
A huge thank you to the Burbo Bank Extension Community Fund and all the Running the Railways donors for funding the project and to everyone involved for your care, collaboration and commitment.
You can view images and read more about the opening on Explore Liverpool and Everton FC’s official site.