For many young people attending Fairfield Adult Learning in Worcester, education has not always been straightforward. Learners aged 16 to 19 often arrive having experienced challenges with mental health, additional needs, low confidence, anxiety, or previous disengagement from education. Traditional learning environments can sometimes feel overwhelming, creating barriers to participation, concentration and wellbeing.
Recognising this need, the team at Fairfield wanted to create something different: a safe, welcoming outdoor space where learners could step away from pressure, connect with nature, regulate their emotions and develop confidence alongside their studies. Thanks to investment from Worcestershire County Council Public Health, that vision has become a reality through the development of the Fairfield Wellbeing Garden.
The project transformed an underused outdoor area into a flexible wellbeing space, including a newly turfed garden, sensory planting and allotment areas, outdoor games and activities, and a covered canopy that makes the space accessible throughout the year. The aim was never simply to improve the physical environment but create a place that supports health, wellbeing, learning and personal development.
Research shows the benefits of spending time in green space, and Fairfield’s learners are experiencing those benefits. The garden offers opportunities to reduce stress and anxiety, access quieter spaces for reflection, improve emotional regulation and develop positive coping mechanisms. For learners who find busy classrooms challenging, the outdoor environment provides a valuable alternative space where they can reset and return to learning feeling calmer and more able to engage, or as with recent weeks, escape the heat!
One recent example shows the difference the space is already making. During a period of hot weather, a young learner preparing for an exam was finding it difficult to remain calm and focused indoors. Outdoors she was able to sit in a cooler, quieter environment. The change of setting helped her regulate her emotions, reduce anxiety and regain the focus she needed.
The benefits extend beyond mental wellbeing. The garden encourages movement throughout the day, helping learners build healthier habits through light physical activity, movement breaks and outdoor games which all improves concentration. Learners also use the garden to spend time together in a relaxed, environment, developing friendships, communication skills and confidence. Shared activities such as gardening in the allotment space, taking responsibility for plants and growing areas, encourage teamwork, ownership and a sense of belonging.
Today, more than 50 learners each week are expected to benefit from the Fairfield Wellbeing Garden, with many more set to experience its positive impact in years ahead. What was once an underused outdoor area has become a vibrant space for learning, reflection, connection and growth, helping young people build confidence, improve wellbeing and develop the skills they need to thrive.
