Volunteer Team Take On Garden Planters Project at the Queensway Estate

Garden Project for South Essex Homes Rejuvenates Area

On the 24^th October Axis joined a team of volunteers from the local community to take on a planting project at the Queensway Estate in Southend.

The project was organised in partnership with our client, South Essex Homes, and included volunteers from SHE, Natwest, Achieve Thrive Flourish (ATF), Project 91 and The Store House.

Led by Axis’ David Leonard, Apprentice Mentor, the project saw the team painting and decorating planters, as well as planting bulbs, to brighten up the area for residents and create an outdoor safe space. The materials and equipment were kindly donated by our supplier, City Plumbing.

Speaking of how the project came about, Sam Elliott, Continuous Improvement Manager for South Essex Homes, said, “The residents told us that they really wanted communal areas which they could take pride in, so we thought we’d bring everyone together to do so”. 

When the whole team arrived, Axis provided them with disposable coveralls, globes and masks. After David led the team in a quick and fun health and safety talk, the group get started. David said “The helpers split up into small groups and started to paint the planters. The competition was like premiership footballers against each other. With a little encouragement here and there of “your planter is the best” or “don’t let them do a better job than you”, it really had the teams chatting and pulling together”. 

When asked about the day, Ross Stanley, Supervisor, said “I volunteered today to give back to the community. The kids in the area need to go out and play just like I did when I was a child!”. 

Christ Greatwood, Operations Manager, added “Volunteering is just to give something back to the community, we’re not here just to work and do our jobs, but to give back to the community – give the tenants something to look forward to and obviously enjoy the areas that we’re working on”. 

The project has had a huge impact on the community, creating a revitalised space for families and children to enjoy! 

One resident commented, “It looks a lot brighter and stands out a lot, and makes it look a lot better. It gives children the opportunity to play in a good environment and be happy. Thank you to Axis and South Essex Homes for doing the work that needed to be done. It looks a lot better than it did before”. 

It’s a pleasure to work collaboratively with clients to improve the quality of accommodation and living areas for residents. 

Well done to all volunteers and residents for getting stuck in – and to our Axis volunteer team for an excellent display of OV7: ‘A community we contribute to will welcome and value us’.

View the full project in video action here or photo action here!