Our Sensory Garden: Turning Shani’s Vision Into Reality

In January, we sadly lost our wonderful Director, Shani, very unexpectedly. Shani was not only an incredible leader but also a dear friend to everyone at Rafles. She had long dreamed of creating a sensory garden for the children — a calm, inspiring outdoor space where they could explore, learn, and connect with nature in small groups.

​After her passing, the Rafles team came together to honour her memory by bringing her vision to life. We organised a memorial walk local to Shani’s home and were overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of everyone who supported us. Together, we raised over £6,000, and we are truly grateful for every single donation and word of encouragement.

​With these funds, we’re now in the process of designing our sensory garden — a space that will reflect Shani’s creativity, care, and unwavering dedication to the children and staff. The team have shared their ideas and created mood boards inspired by the plans Shani once spoke so passionately about.

​Throughout 2025, we’ll be finalising designs and preparing the space, ready to start bringing it to life in 2026. We can’t wait to see Shani’s dream grow and bloom into a place filled with discovery, joy, and remembrance.

​This garden will not only be a beautiful area for the children to explore their senses — it will also stand as a lasting tribute to an inspirational Director whose vision and kindness continue to guide us every day.

What it currently looks like at the moment: