Volunteers from Huddersfield-based law firm Ridley & Hall helped restore a day centre’s garden.
Staff from Ridley & Hall rolled their sleeves up to get busy at the Birch Tree Day Centre in Edgerton.
The centre, which provides support for adults and young people with learning difficulties and disabilities, is celebrating its 10th anniversary.
The centre’s aim is to provide a happy and safe environment where everyone who attends can develop to their full potential and learn new skills. The centre employs eight staff members and has the capacity to accommodate 20 service users per day.
Carol Robinson, cashier at Ridley & Hall, led the project over a period of three months, organising volunteers from Ridley & Hall to work on the garden.
A total of 21 volunteers from Ridley & Hall participated, including three of Carol’s friends, and approximately 290 volunteering hours were spent. A generous donation of materials was provided by Jewson Builders Merchants, coordinated by Stephanie Cooper.
Carol said: “It was during a monthly Ridley & Hall Environmental, Social and Governance committee meeting that the thought crossed my mind to start a project where everyone from Ridley & Hall could participate in some volunteering work.
“My thoughts turned to my love of being outdoors and gardening, and then to Birch Tree Day Care Service. I had visited a while back and felt that the garden was in serious need of some TLC.
“I was elated to have completed the project successfully and I’m chuffed to bits with the results. I am very proud of everyone who volunteered and gave up their time to support.”
Lauren, a staff member at Birch Tree who liaised with Carol throughout the process to complete the garden project, said: “When Carol first came forward to me regarding doing the garden, I was worried she had taken too much on, but after the first session I knew they had smashed it!
“The work they have done is fantastic and the difference to the garden is amazing. The service users are really looking forward to spending time in the garden in the summer.”
Another staff member said: “I feel like I can breathe again in this garden, we can’t thank you enough.”
Birch Tree and Ridley & Hall celebrated the garden project during Learning Disability Week and invited all volunteers, service users and their parents to attend a morning of games, fundraising and a bake sale.
