25th October 2022

Team Axis Transform Garden for PA Housing

In partnership with our client, PA Housing a team of volunteers recently transformed a derelict garden into a beautiful outside space for a vulnerable family in Hersham.

The project came about after speaking to the client who had recently been provided with a disabled grant to improve the internal aids and adaptations at the residence to be more suitable for the family. Unfortunately, they fell short financially to transform the outdoor garden area, so we were asked if we would be able to help make it a safe, accessible, and welcoming place for them to enjoy.

Over the course of two weeks, Catherine Weedon, Resident Liaison Manager led a team of 17 Axis volunteers from all areas of the business to complete the project, with volunteer support from PA Housing and some of our Contractors too.

Jane Massey, Resident Liaison Officer explained the works that were carried out, “Firstly, the garden was cut back, bushes trimmed, trees felled, pond filled, and a lot of rubbish removed. We fitted a 6ft high 15m in length fence and a picket fence separating the large garden. Two new outhouse doors were also renewed and the large shed at the rear of the garden was repaired with new Perspex to the windows and cladding to rotted areas. Then everything was painted”. The final piece to the project was the new turf which was kindly purchased and laid free of charge by Firma Contractors Ltd, which completed the garden perfectly.

Commenting on the experience, some of the volunteers said:

When I heard about this project, I decided it would be the perfect opportunity to get stuck in and help make a change. The team had evidently been working very hard prior to my volunteer day however there was plenty left to do. Although it was hard work it was very rewarding to help towards a good cause. To see the transformation from how the garden looked before to now, makes me very proud to be a part of an excellent project – Sydney Baker, Trainee Quantity Surveyor

It was a huge project that required loads of help and luckily quite a few of us chipped in. It’s amazing seeing a project like that turned around in such a short period of time. We hope the residents love their new garden! – Barnaby Havercroft, Commercial Manager

I think the project was really organised well and Cathy and Scott were so dedicated to getting it complete. It was so nice to come together as a team to help out and the garden looks great now – Chelsea Rivers, Office Manager

Representatives from PA Housing, Axis and our Contractors were invited to visit the project after completion and were delighted with the result.

Lee Hope, Project Manager at PA Housing said..

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the individuals involved at Axis for creating a lovely, usable garden for our disabled family of four to use and enjoy. From day one, I must admit, I was overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and commitment of the volunteers involved in this mammoth task. This project was not an easy quick fix and all at PA Housing want to thank everyone at Axis for making this happen. This has made a real difference to a family that would have otherwise struggled to cope.