Students from Rutherford School, joined Garwood staff and workers from Gen One to lay the first brick of their new Space to Thrive.
The spring equinox on 20th March saw Adam, John, Liam and Si – all current students at Rutherford School for young people with profound and multiple disabilities – join forces with Garwood Foundation CEO Dr Ross White, and Gen One workers, to lay the first brick in the long-awaited building works at Rutherford School.
The works will provide a modernised hydrotherapy pool, an extra classroom to support more students, and accessible community meeting space. The pool will be used by Rutherford students by day, and members of the local community during evenings and weekends. Not just by baby and toddler swimming groups, but also by physiotherapists for post operative and illness rehabilitation.
Aqua therapy delivered in a hydrotherapy pool is essential to ease muscle pain while working on key skills. Rutherford students work on core stability, mobility, communication, confidence and independence whilst in the pool, experiencing less muscle pain doing this in the pool.
The build has been in planning for several years, along with the majority of the fundraising with the last £100,000 still being fundraised. Building works are expected to continue until the end of the year/early 2026 giving an urgent timeframe to raise the last funds.
Dr Ross White, CEO of the Garwood Foundation, explained why this build is so vital for the school as well as the local community: “Being able to provide an accessible pool regardless of disability is key for people’s independence and autonomy. Not just for our students, but for others in our community as well. These upgrades mean even more people can
benefit from our facilities and reach their potential. The extra classroom means that we can meet demand and take on more students too. We’re very excited to see this vision becoming a reality and grateful for the support we’ve received so far. We need to raise the final funds this year and invite you all to get involved!”
Rutherford School, part of The Garwood Foundation, are currently in a race to raise the last £100,000 of their £2.5m target to complete the building works. Donations, fundraising, partnerships, participation in challenge events, by individuals or companies are all welcomed. Visit their website www.garwoodfoundation.org.uk/space-to-thrive for more information. Get in touch with them if you have an idea or can offer support.