Roscommon schools shortlisted for Lidl Green Fund

The sensory garden at a South Roscommon school has been shortlisted for the Lidl Green Fund, bringing the project one step closer to securing funding to develop this valuable resource further for the children of the area.

The Cloonakilla NS Sensory Garden was selected by Lidl’s expert panel and will now go forward to the public voting stage in County Roscommon.

The development of the sensory garden will add to the existing outdoor space where children can explore nature through sight, sound, smell and touch. It will provide opportunities for learning, play, relaxation and sensory exploration, while supporting the wellbeing and inclusion of all pupils.

The project receiving the most public votes securing the Lidl Green Fund of €3000. Voting opened on Wednesday, October 15th and closes on Wednesday, October 21st.

Voting is through the Lidl Plus app. Lidl customers can scan their Lidl Plus card when shopping in-store and will then receive a digital stamp card on the app, allowing them to cast their vote.

The school is now appealing to parents, past pupils, families, friends and the wider County Roscommon community to get behind the Cloonakilla NS Sensory Garden and help spread the word.

The Lidl Green Fund would provide a significant boost to the project and help turn the school’s vision for the sensory garden into reality.

The garden is situated beside the school’s two new autism classes which opened this September.

This is one of two projects shortlisted in County Roscommon, the other being Summerhill NS. The school is seeking to regenerate a dilapidated garden area that was previously a vital sensory and relaxation space for pupils in ASD classes. Restoring this garden will re-establish a crucial outdoor asset for movement breaks, wellbeing classes and therapeutic support.