A group of staff, local residents and PCH contractors joined forces to improve an area at our Camel’s Head sheltered bungalow scheme after suffering from anti-social behaviour in recent years.
On a sunny Friday a group of volunteers descended on the scheme to plant a range of flowers and shrubs that were a mixture of donations from several of our contractors.
The scheme at Camel’s Head had large bushes growing alongside a wall, and several times in recent years people had hidden in the bushes to avoid the Police which caused residents to become concerned, and we acted to remove the bushes completely.
Communities Worker Ryan Huws from PCH spoke to residents at the scheme and they agreed that they wanted to plant some flowers and small shrubs to give the area a colourful boost.
Enthused by the conversations, Ryan contacted companies Bradfords and Travis Perkins, building supplies merchants, who work closely with PCH on lots of our projects and they were more than happy to help, with Bradfords donating £250 and two staff volunteers and Travis Perkins £50.
Residents submitted a request to PCH for a community grant to top the funding up to be able to complete the planting and PCH donated £300 as well as 10 staff volunteers to help on the day. The residents held four planning meetings to ensure the day ran smoothly.
And so, we found ourselves – in wellies, and trowels in hand, ready to get started.
The sun continued to shine throughout, as those PCH staff who had made use of their Make a Difference days – one of three volunteer days that employees can take throughout the year.
Ryan Huws, Danni Revell, Leigh Ferguson, Sam Paskins, Jessi Martin, Allyson Hood, Aisha Zahid, Leah Winters, Jay Vickers and Emma Giles were all on hand to carry out the work on behalf of the residents, joined by Jo Love and Phyllida Daffen from Bradfords.
Within a few hours, the flowers were planted and everyone crammed into the scheme’s community room to share a lovely lunch, with the additions of some delicious homemade quiche and cakes that the residents had whipped up in the kitchen.
The afternoon proved to be much more strenuous with wheelbarrows of mulch being delivered up the planting area to bed in the new arrivals before an Environmental Services team from PCH came along to give the new flowerbeds a good watering.
Camel’s Head Social Group chair Gaynor Southerton thanked each of the volunteers in a heartwarming speech and each of the volunteers was given a special thank you gift on behalf of the members of the group.
Ryan Huws who was instrumental in getting the project off the ground, said: “It was a fabulous experience, and this is what it’s all about, working together to benefit and improve the community. Camel’s Head is a fantastic scheme, and they have a great sense of community with lots of social activities and they always look out for each other. So, it was lovely to be able to make a difference to our residents who live there.
“We’re looking forward to going back next year and getting some pictures when the flowers are in bloom!”
