School courtyard is blooming thanks to Coastal Housing

Coastal Housing team up with Neath pupils to bring colour to a local school.

Coastal Housing Group and contractor partner colleagues have joined forces with school pupils to brighten up the courtyard of the Dwr y Felin comprehensive school in Neath.

A team of four from Coastal Housing and two representatives from local contractor Holbrook, enlisted the help of nine Year 7 pupils to transform the space at their school, which is located near Coastal Housing’s Empire Walk development.

The volunteers spent a day planting colourful flowers and herbs in eight specially designed planters constructed from recycled wood, which were provided by Holbrook Timber Frame Ltd. The planters included two herb gardens, filled with both medicinal and culinary herbs to aid pupils with their science and cookery studies.

Clare Watkins, Coastal Housing’s Training Placement Officer, said: “We were happy to work with Andrea and the team to help to bring some colour to the courtyard at Dwr y Felin School. Holbrook has done a wonderful job in creating planters to suit the needs of the school and we hope that the herb gardens especially will help pupils with their studies.

“This project marks the beginning of our relationship with the school and we’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with the pupils. We hope there will be more opportunities to work with them in the near future.”

Teacher Andrea Griffiths leads Dwr y Felin School’s gardening club, and said: “We are extremely grateful for all of Coastal and Holbrook’s hard work on this project, and in helping us to create a welcoming environment for everyone who visits the school. The children have thoroughly enjoyed getting involved with gardening and these planters have brought the courtyard to life. We’re looking forward to seeing them in full bloom!”

Coastal Housing’s Empire Walk development (pictured below) is situated on the site of the former Empire Bingo Hall, on The Ropewalk, Neath. When completed, the £950,000 value development will comprise of 12, independently accessed, two bed and one bed apartments. Completion of the project is expected by mid July 2013.

The Coastal Housing Group supports people by developing homes and communities across Swansea and Neath Port Talbot. It has one of the largest affordable housing development programmes in Wales, investing over £30m every year.

The organisation offers desirable, affordable homes, for rent and sale, to people with different needs, lifestyles and accommodation preferences. It is expert in supporting people who require adapted homes, help in managing their tenancy and provides specialist services for older people.

Coastal Housing is an industrial and provident society, existing only for the benefit of the community.  It is run by a voluntary Board of Management that includes tenant members.