Thousands of sandwiches and schoolbags are kept safe and dry at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) thanks to a thoughtful installation of Trimetals storage units that ensures school groups can make the most of their ‘outdoor classroom’ experience.
There are five Trimetals storage units at the award winning London Wetland Centre, one of nine WWT centres around the UK. They are used by the 20,000 p/a visiting schoolchildren as a secure facility to leave their belongings and picnics while they explore the ponds, lakes and adventure around Europe’s best urban wildlife site.
Each centre has professional learning staff who place the emphasis on education and fun for the one million people who visit WWT’s centres every year. And, at the 42 hectare London nature reserve adjacent to the river Thames, up to 12 outdoor learning sessions are held each day, so every logistical detail including bag storage needs to be managed, explained Shayna Barby, learning manager.
“Learning space is at a premium and we like to keep belongings such as bags and lunch boxes safely out of the way so the children are free to enjoy all the exciting hands on activities such as pond dipping,” she said.
In recent years, the number of school visits to the London Wetland Centre in Barnes has expanded, and the existing two Trimetals storage units did not offer enough space. A further three were bought to match the existing units and all five now stand against the wall behind the theatre.
The units have wooden floors and easy, full front opening access making it easy for teachers to supervise children and ensure items are kept in a safe, dry place.
During the planning of school visits, the Centre’s education team is often asked about safe places for children to leave their belongings and the Trimetals units provide a secure solution. The units have a roof over them and there’s no cleaning and maintenance to a minimum.
Trimetals outdoor storage units are used in all types of public and domestic environments including visitor centres, schools and leisure buildings. They are made from a high performance PVC coated galvanised steel which is maintenance-free, fire resistant and with a panel guarantee of 25 years. They are strong and secure which also makes them a first choice for heavy usage situations and locations where security can be an issue.