Axis Refurbish a Community Garden for PA Housing

Transforming Hedgehog Community Garden

Over the course of one week, Cathy Weedon, Resident Liaison Manager led a team of Axis volunteers and subcontractors to complete the transformation of Hedgehog Street Community Garden in Walton-on-Thames.

The project was put forward by our client, PA Housing to support Hedgehog Street estate and Cromwell Youth Club. Cromwell Youth Club work with vulnerable young people, aged 8-13, who have often been brought up in deprivation and lack positive role models at home.

The young people initially took ownership of the community garden, but unfortunately it had to close at the start of the pandemic which has prevented the young people and their families from using it. With the garden providing them with a safe place to go, providing healthy meals, and developing their social, emotional, and practical life skills, we were keen to get involved and help get the garden back up and running again!

During the last week in June, Cathy and her team of volunteers carried out a series of works with our supply chain partner, Travis Perkins, kindly donating the materials. Works included: general clearance of the site of large vicious shrubs, replacing and building new butterfly/bug houses, building four new raised planters, creating a new downpipe with hopper for the water butt, laying new astroturf, sanding and painting dividing fence and three benches, shredding all the garden matter, and planting various flowers/shrubs including an apple tree, raspberry bushes, and a climbing honeysuckle.

To celebrate the transformation, we hosted an opening event on Wednesday 28^th July with representatives from Axis, PA Housing and Cromwell Youth Club in attendance. Members of the community kindly donated bulbs, seeds and vegetable starters for the garden which will now be looked after by the young people.

It makes you feel so good giving back. Just seeing the transformation makes it all worthwhile. I cannot thank our subcontractors SLK enough for all of their support – they really were amazing! – Cathy Weedon, Resident Liason Manager

It was a fantastic experience. I was so proud of people like Cathy who put her heart and soul into what was a really great community project. – Joe Ibrahim, Managing Director of Projects​​​​​​​

I would like to say what a great job Cathy did organising this, and the help provided by the contractors. Going forward, this should be great for the residents in the area as it will provide a little escape for the children and their families to explore the wildlife and relax. – Scott Ritson, Supervisor