Stepping Stones has launched a £40,000 appeal to update and improve its old garden

The District Specialist Centre for children with special needs wants to upgrade and improve a garden that is now ten years old to provide an outdoor play area for children.

Stepping Stones manager Debbie Wickham said: "We know how important outdoor play is for young children’s wellbeing and development.

"We believe passionately our children, all of whom have special needs, should be able to enjoy greater access to outdoor learning and play experiences.

"We want all the Stepping Stones children to have access to an exciting and stimulating play area regardless of their individual abilities.

"This is why it is so important for us to update and upgrade our garden area that is now over 10 years old.

"We want to be able to make the garden a safe and versatile outdoor learning environment for all of our children to enjoy and use all year round."

"This will involve removing the current real grass area that gets very wet and muddy and replace it with Just Like Grass, and also replacing the old rubber surface with a safer non-slip surface.

"We are also planning to incorporate a covered outdoor classroom, that can be accessed by all of our children all year round, along with a diverse range of accessible, stimulating play equipment."

Stepping Stones supports 70 children all aged under five years and all have special needs.

Mrs Wickham added: "This project would really help all of the children who attend our setting.

"It will be an investment for all of the children who will be attending our setting in the future."

To help, call 01225 350004 or email admin@steppingstonestrowbridge.co.uk