Carers and residents of supported living facility to take part in triathlon to raise money for sensory garden
Redbridge House gives young adults with additional needs more independence
Residents and carers of supported living facility Redbridge House will take part in a triathlon to raise money for an accessible outdoor garden for young adults with learning disabilities and additional support needs.
Redbridge House, a supported living service run in partnership between Portsmouth City Council and Community Integrated Care, provides homes for seven young adults with additional needs, and was opened in 2025.
However, the garden of the property can be unsafe for its residents, limiting their opportunities for exercise, relaxation and having fun in the fresh air.
This is a big shame for resident Felix MacKechnie, 21, who loves being in the outdoors.
“Felix has autism, ADHD, severe learning difficulties, dyspraxia, and he has had some epileptic seizures,” said his mother, Michelle. “He is pretty much non verbal.”
“With his hyperactivity, outdoor spaces are really valuable to him,” said his dad Scott. “The outdoor space of Redbridge House is lovely but it gets very muddy in the winter and gets really unsafe.”
Felix attends a specialist autism-based outdoor day service, which he loves, and being active in the outdoors is one of his favourite things, so his parents have been heavily involved in sprucing up the Redbridge House gardens.
“We are trying to create a space that has got sensory activities - all the residents like going on the trampolines!” said Scott.
“The triathlon is a chance to fundraise, get the community involved and get the residents and their families involved,” he said.
Carers at Redbridge House will also be joining the residents in the triathlon, which will begin on Spice Island and end with a swim at Hilsea Lido. One of the staff has already helped to raise money to buy a temporary pool for the garden, which Michelle said “has been brilliant for them during the summer!”
“It’s not a race,” said Scott. “It is about people with additional needs being able to participate in something that is meaningful for them. It's about raising money but for me it's also a bit about raising awareness about people with additional needs and their communities as well.”
“Felix will enjoy it, he will enjoy being with people and laughing and smiling and just being part of it.”
The campaign has raised over £3000 towards the garden renovations already, and alongside the triathlon are looking for other ways to raise money, including reaching out to local businesses and organisations.
The triathlon will start at 9.30am on Sunday September 13 at Spice Island.
You can find out more about the event and donate here.