Major Works partner transforms resident's garden ‘jungle’
A bedbound resident’s garden has been completely transformed after L&Q colleagues and one of our Major Works Investment Programme partners rolled up their sleeves to help clear the space.
Colleagues from Axis Europe went above and beyond by volunteering their own time to make a meaningful difference at the home of Denise Howard in South Bermondsey.
They cleared the overgrown back and front gardens after Denise became bedbound a few years ago due to a health condition and could no longer maintain her outside space.
Over two days, the team cleared the garden of overgrown shrubs, removed broken furniture, cleaned the paving and disposed of all the green waste sustainably.
Denise, 61, said her revamped garden had a positive impact on her mental health, as well as transforming how it looked.
She said: “As I’m bedbound and my bed faces the garden, I was just looking straight out at it. It was so overgrown, such an eyesore and really looked awful. It was a jungle.”
Denise added: “They have done an amazing job and were brilliant. It was so kind of the volunteers to help me. I’m really happy and pleased with the work and it looks lovely now.”
Vera O'Driscoll, Community Investment Coordinator at Axis Europe, said:
“The resident has been bed bound for the past several years and her garden naturally became overgrown as she wasn't able to maintain it. The team volunteered their time and worked very hard to clear the whole front and back garden for her. It was a very successful project and really made a positive impact on the resident's wellbeing.”
Mark Newstead, Director of Major Programmes at L&Q, said:
“Being able to support our community and residents in such a tangible way that will make such a difference to their everyday lives is truly rewarding Some brilliant work has been carried out in the community by all our partners, as part of our Social Value promise. Social value is embedded in, and such a fundamental part of, what L&Q strives to do as a social housing provider.”