RESIDENTS and staff at the Orchard Trust visited the Morrisons store in Ross-on-Wye last week, to receive a cheque for £12,000 from the Morrisons Foundation for a new outdoor classroom.

Spokesperson for the Lydbrook-based trust, Tina Baker, said: “The Orchard Trust supports the involvement, independence and development of people with disabilities. We are currently developing our site in Lydbrook to incorporate an outdoor classroom. This grant award will make it a reality.

“The site already has a day centre with kitchens, a sensory room, fully accessible toilet facilities, a hydrotherapy pool and indoor trampoline. The new outdoor classroom will be an addition to the smallholding part of the site making the most of the new paths in that area.

“Grants such as the one from the Morrisons Foundation will help the Orchard Trust to offer services to the wider community. We have plans for dementia walks, installation of a wheelchair accessible activity park and continued work with Forest schools.”

The outdoor classroom will have its official opening in April. For more information about the trust, visit www.orchard-trust.org.uk