A dad's project to turn a worn-out shed into a special play space for his son who has autism is the focus of a TV show this week.
Mark Beresford, 48, wanted to create something useful out of his old shed from his allotment at South Park.
He decided to turn it into a play space for his son Joel, eight, who has autism and attends Park Lane Special School, and make it a space his daughter Erin, nine, can also enjoy.
The handy dad was inspired by Erin’s love of Doctor Who to rebuild the shed, themed around the sci-fi show. It represents the Tardis time machine from the programme.
The design inside is created especially to suit Joel. Mark, married to Laura, submitted his idea to the production team for the George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces programme on Channel 4, which follows people who turn small unconventional spaces like sheds, old boats and caravans into useful and interesting places to live or play.
The team loved his idea and agreed to film the project over the summer.
Film crews documented the family rebuilding and refurbishing the shed at the bottom of their garden on Congleton Road.
George Clarke visited in October to meet the family.
Mark said: “My allotment shed was falling apart but Joel has always enjoyed being in the shed so I wanted to save it for him.
“It was a very simple idea but children with a disability like autism need somewhere to go and chill out. It has the right atmosphere and the kind of things Joel likes. It’s a calm den for him to go to.
“It was also something for me and Erin to work on together. She loves Doctor Who and soon enjoyed having the film crew around.
“It was good to meet George, he’s as nice in person as he is on TV.
“We’re looking forward to seeing the show on TV.”
Mark left work as a landscape gardener to become a caretaker at Parkroyal Community School this year.
He said: “I’m quite a practically minded person and have built extensions and done other projects around the home.
“The show is all about repurposing something on a small budget and shows what can be achieved with a bit of imagination.
“Being part of the show was a great experience, it was hard work but great fun and we’ve been left with something really special.”
George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces airs Thursday at 8pm, on Channel 4.
