Spazju komunitarju sensorjali f’Pembroke li jħeġġeġ tagħlim permezz tan-natura
Ġie inawgurat Ġnien il-Ward f’Pembroke li jinsab biswit Dar Warda, ġnien inklussiv u sensorjali bil-għan li jħeġġeġ aktar tagħlim permezz ta’ parteċipazzjoni dirett fejn jidħol xogħol ta’ ġardinaġġ u esperjenza diretta man-natura.
Ġnien il-Ward huwa spazju miftuħ f’ambjent sigur u aċċessibbli fejn ir-residenti jieħdu ħsieb dan il-ġnien b’mod attiv fil-kultivazzjoni ta’ diversi ħxejjex li qegħdin fi planters magħmulin minn materjali riċiklat.
Il-ġnien ġie inawgurat mill-Ministru Miriam Dalli u l-Ministru Julia Farrugia flimkien mat-tim ta’ Project Green, Aġenzija Sapport, il-kunsill lokali ta’ Pembroke u r-residenti ta’ Dar Warda.
Il-Ministru Miriam Dalli qalet li Ġnien il-Ward jirrappreżenta dak li għandhom ikunu l-ispazji komunitarji – postijiet mibnija fuq l-ideat tal-pubbliku biex imbagħad igawduhom. “Permezz tas-sostenibbiltà u l-parteċipazzjoni, dan il-ġnien juri kif il-proġetti ambjentali bħal dawn jistgħu jsaħħu l-benesseri u d-dinjità. Dak li jagħmel lil Ġnien il-Ward tassew speċjali huwa li r-residenti stess se jkunu qed jieħdu ħsieb dan il-ġnien, fejn bil-parteċipazzjoni tagħhom, jidher biċ-ċar kif l-ispazji miftuħa huma ta’ kulħadd, minkejja l-abbiltajiet tagħhom. Flimkien, qed nibnu futur fejn il-komunitajiet mhux biss igawdu n-natura, iżda jipproteġu u jipparteċipaw b’mod attiv. Ġnien il-Ward ifakkarna kif meta ninvestu fi spazji ħodor, inkunu qed ninvestu f’kommunitajiet b’saħħithom, bijodiversità aktar b’saħħitha, u futur aħjar. Dan il-ġnien jingħaqad ma’ proġetti oħra simili li qed inwettqu, bħala simbolu ħaj ta’ inklużjoni u tama,” qalet il-Ministru Dalli.
Il-Ministru Julia Farrugia faħħret l-ftuħ ta’ Ġnien Warda u qalet li dan il-proġett huwa eżempju ċar ta’ kif nistgħu noħolqu spazji inklussivi u sostenibbli għal kulħadd. “Permezz ta’ dan il-ġnien, qed noffru ambjent sigur u aċċessibbli fejn ir-residenti ta’ Dar Warda jistgħu jieħdu sehem fit-tħawwil u l-kura tal-pjanti, filwaqt li jitgħallmu ħiliet ġodda u jiżviluppaw kunfidenza u sens ta’ responsabbiltà. Din il-kollaborazzjoni interministerjali tagħmilha possibbli biex noħolqu aktar spazji ħodor u aċċessibbli, mhux biss f’żoni li jospitaw ċentri jew residenti tal-Aġenzija Sapport, iżda wkoll biex nibnu ponti ta’ inklużjoni bejn il-klijenti tal-aġenzija u l-komunitajiet residenzjali madwar Malta. Dan huwa mudell li jsaħħaħ il-komunità kollha kemm f’Pembroke kif ukoll fil-bqija tal-pajjiż,” temmet tgħid il-Ministru.
Ġnien il-Ward jenfasizza l-parteċipazzjoni soċjali, l-involviment sensorjali u sens komunitarju. Residenti se jipparteċipaw f’diversi attivitajiet fosthom tagħlim ta’ kif jieħdu ħsieb dawn il-pjanti, il-ħsad u s-sostenibbiltà, filwaqt li jsaħħu ħiliet fejn jidħol teamwork, kunfidenza u sens ta’ responsabiltà. Fi Ġnien il-Ward issib pjanti jittieklu, ward u siġar żgħar magħżula b’attenzjoni biex jirriflettu l-identità u l-ispirtu ta’ Dar Warda. Dawn l-elementi joffru mogħdijiet b’diversi kuluri u rwejjaħ u jsebbħu dan il-ġnien. F’dan il-ġnien hemm planters iddisinjati biex jintużaw ukoll bħala bankijiet – iservu bħala sorsi ta’ ikel sostenibbli filwaqt li jinkoraġġixxu l-involviment regolari fil-ġardinaġġ.
F’dan il-proġett ġew indirizzati diversi sfidi, fosthom l-aċċessibilità, li jilqa’ fih nies b’abbiltajiet sensorjali differenti, appoġġ lill-individwi b’tagħlim limitu fejn jidħol ġardinaġġ u l-assigurazzjoni tal-kura fit-tul tal-pjanti. Permezz ta’ gwida strutturata u appoġġ kontinwu, ir-residenti b’suċċess adottaw rwoli differenti għaż-żamma ta’ dan il-ġnien – impenn fejn isaħħaħ aktar il-parteċipazzjoni.
Is-siġar u l-arbuxelli li għadhom kif ġew imħawwla – għalkemm għadhom żgħar – huma pożizzjonati biex jipprovdu dell u karattru staġjonali hekk kif jimmaturaw, u gradwalment jiffurmaw lil Ġnien il-Ward f’kenn naturali seren.
Il-Perit Cheryl Camilleri minn Project Green enfasizzat li l-inizjattiva tmur lil hinn mis-sostenibbiltà, iżda l-aċċessibilità u l-inklużjoni kienu parti ċentrali f’dan il-proġett. “B’dan il-proġett, ridna kull resident, irrispettivament mill-età jew l-abbiltà, igawdi esperjenza diretta fil-ġardinaġġ. Mhux biss dwar il-kultivazzjoni tal-pjanti, iżda dwar il-kultivazzjoni ta’ ħiliet, kunfidenza, u sens komunitarju. Dan il-proġett isarraf f’terapija għar-residenti u proġett li jgħaqqad il-komunità flimkien.”
A sensory community garden in Pembroke focused on empowering residents through nature
A new chapter begins for the residents of Dar Warda with the official inauguration of Ġnien il-Ward in Pembroke; an inclusive sensory garden designed to empower individuals through hands-on participation, sustainable gardening, and meaningful connection with nature.
The project transforms an open space into a safe, accessible environment where residents actively lead in cultivating greenery and maintaining adaptable planter structures built entirely from recycled materials.
The garden was inaugurated by Minister Miriam Dalli and Minister Julia Farrugia together with the Project Green team, Aġenzija Sapport, the Pembroke local council, and residents of Dar Warda.
Minister Miriam Dalli stated that Ġnien il-Ward represents what community spaces should be — places built with and for the people who use them. “Through sustainability, participation, and care for one another, this garden shows how green projects can strengthen well-being and dignity. What makes Ġnien il-Ward truly special is that the residents themselves are the caretakers of this space. Their hands-on involvement demonstrates that the environment and open spaces belong to everyone, regardless of ability or background. Together, we are building a future where communities not only enjoy nature but actively protect and sustain it. This garden stands as a powerful reminder that when we invest in green spaces, we invest in healthier people, stronger biodiversity, and a better tomorrow. This garden joins other similar projects that we are undertaking, in being a living symbol of inclusion and hope,” Minister Dalli said.
Minister Julia Farrugia praised the opening of Ġnien Warda and said that this project is a clear example of how we can create inclusive and sustainable spaces for everyone. “Through this garden, we are providing a safe and accessible environment where the residents of Dar Warda can take part in planting and caring for plants, while learning new skills and developing confidence and a sense of responsibility.” This interministerial collaboration makes it possible to create more green and accessible spaces, not only in areas hosting centres or residences of Aġenzija Sapport, but also to build bridges of inclusion between the agency’s clients and residential communities across Malta. “This is a model that strengthens the entire community, both in Pembroke and in the rest of the country,” concluded Minister Julia Farrugia.
Ġnien il-Ward emphasises social participation, sensory engagement, and community pride. Residents take part in guided activities and hands-on cultivation, learning about planting, harvesting, and sustainability while developing teamwork, confidence, and a sense of shared ownership. The space features edible plants, roses, and young trees carefully selected to reflect the identity and spirit of Dar Warda. These elements create a rich sensory landscape filled with colour, scent, and texture, offering both beauty and function. The planters — designed to double as seating — serve as sustainable food sources while fostering routine gardening engagement and outdoor wellbeing.
The development of the garden required addressing a range of practical challenges, including accessibility needs, accommodating varied sensory abilities, supporting individuals with limited gardening experience, and ensuring long-term care of the plants. Through structured guidance and ongoing support, residents have successfully embraced active roles in nurturing the space, reinforcing the project’s commitment to empowerment and participation.
Newly planted trees and shrubs — though still in early growth — are positioned to provide shade and seasonal character as they mature, gradually shaping Ġnien il-Ward into a serene and enduring natural retreat.
Architect Cheryl Camilleri from Project Green emphasised that the initiative goes beyond sustainability, it is equally about accessibility and inclusion. “With this project, we wanted every resident, regardless of age or ability, to enjoy a hands-on experience in gardening. It’s not just about cultivating plants, it’s about cultivating skills, confidence, and community. Gardening becomes both a therapeutic outlet and a shared activity that brings people together.”
