District Council helps fund accessible map for people with sight loss to explore and enjoy a charity garden

A map is being designed for people with sight loss to enjoy visits to the peaceful haven of a two-acre charity garden in Sawston thanks to community funding.

The map, being created by experts at the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), will help visitors navigate pathways, meadows and woodland at the Challis Trust garden.

South Cambridgeshire District Council has approved a £2,000 Community Chest grant towards the project, adding to donations from Sawston Parish Council, Redrow Homes and Sawston Discount Food, Drink and Household Goods.

The bespoke map will help people of all ages and abilities with vision loss, and can be read by sight, touch or a combination of both.

Challis Trustee, Dr Tim Wreghitt said: “This donation from South Cambridgeshire District Council will make a huge difference. We have a little more money yet to raise, but we are now confident that with this generous donation, our new RNIB map will be installed in the Garden by next summer and will significantly improve the experience for visitors with visual impairments.”

The Challis Garden and House were donated to the community in 2006 by former Sawston resident, the late Mary Challis, and is tended by dedicated volunteers.

Featuring a mature wood, winding paths, a meadow, winter walks and a pond with viewing platform, there is also a summerhouse and three beehives, cared for by the Trust’s beekeeper. There are also many herbaceous borders, an orchard and a vegetable plot with produce available to visitors for a donation.

In addition, a refurbished vine-house gives healthy crops of black grapes each year   tended by volunteers.

The garden is popular with Sawston youth groups, schools and art groups as well as several disability groups who regularly visit including Camsight and Cambridge Rare Diseases Network.

There are also Saturday workshops for children, summer fund-raising events and the autumn Horticultural Show - all hosted by volunteers.

Each year the garden opens for the National Garden Scheme in July raising funds for a variety of charities.

Cllr Henry Batchelor, Lead Cabinet Member for Communities at South Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “"Our Community Chest grants are a superb way for local groups to boost funding for a wide variety of important projects across four key areas: community, biodiversity, cost of living, and community-led plans. We know how much these projects mean to the people they serve, and we’re committed to supporting initiatives that make a real difference in our district. I strongly encourage anyone with a project idea to apply - together, we can create lasting positive change for our communities."

Michelle Lee, RNIB’s Accessible Maps, Images and Signage Consultant, said:

“RNIB is delighted to be designing an accessible map to help blind and partially sighted people navigate the pathways, meadows, and woodlands at the Challis Trust Garden. People with sight loss can find it challenging to navigate the layout of unfamiliar large areas or buildings and RNIB’s Maps for All can help tackle that barrier. Access for all is so important; it gives blind and partially sighted people the opportunity to independently explore and engage with objects, images, or areas, that would usually be inaccessible.”

Cllr Brian Milnes, a District local councillor for Sawston, said: “The Challis Trust provides a superb facility in our local community. The volunteers’ achievements with the property and gardens are something the team should be incredibly proud of.”

Find out More about Challis House and Gardens

• The garden is free to enter and opens four days a week.
• The house is open during special events and museum opening times, which vary depending on volunteer availability.
• Private Group visits can be arranged.
• Find out how to visit or become a volunteer admin@challistrust.org.uk

Find out more about what’s on in the district

• Discover a wealth of culture and heritage in the district by visiting the Council’s Visit South Cambs tourism webpage which includes a range of exciting places to visit, things to do and venues serving food and drink. Get in touch about getting a free listing!

Find out more about Community Chest grants

• To find out more about the Community Chest grants on offer from South Cambridgeshire District Council visit the webpage.