Summer can be an exciting time, nature is in full bloom. We might spend more time outside or more socialising. It can also be exhausting and busy.

Despite the challenges of the pandemic, many people told us about the positive things that it offered them - the chance to slow down, reflect and really take things in. Riverbank Resource Centre and Riverside primary school invited us to collaborate to explore creative responses to their local garden space and sensory room, which could sometimes be overlooked.

Saffy and Lorna, together with artist Claire Pencak, facilitated creative journeys in both places which opened up possibilities for playful connection between people and plants, light and shadow. We took time to learn about the wheel of the year, working with this as a theme for craft and land art making. We honoured the turning of the year, as we passed the Summer Solstice or longest day, and moved into the ‘darker half’ of the year.

We explored how to bring aspects of the centre’s garden into the indoor sensory room. Lavender is a plant growing abundantly in the Riverbank garden, and is associated with the Summer Solstice in the Celtic Wheel of the Year. The artists created a ‘lavender dream world’ in the sensory room. Working with the plant itself, as well as light, shadow, sound, gentle movement and rest, participants were guided through a playful and meditative sensory journey, exploring the plant and its characteristics and properties.

Saffy and Claire made a short film of their hands exploring the lavender in the garden. This was projected on the wall of the sensory room. Many people found it very relaxing to watch! They could tune into the feeling of touching the lavender by watching the film.