Giving back the Golding Way
Older residents in Kent received a green-fingered garden makeover thanks to a team of volunteers.
Staff from Golding Homes, recently spent a day making over the communal gardens at two sheltered schemes near Maidstone, as part of the organisation’s volunteering project, Golding Giveback. The project provides staff with an opportunity to volunteer a day of their time helping a local charity or for a good cause, supported by Golding Homes.
The volunteers worked together in two groups, tending to flower beds, tidying up patio areas and planting spring bulbs and winter bedding plants at Lenham House, Lenham and McCabe Close in Staplehurst.
Adrian Wakley, Environmental Services Supervisor said: "I worked at McCabe Close where the team cleaned all the benches and created some small flower beds providing year-round colour to the garden. Our grounds maintenance contractor, idverde, were also onsite washing down the paths and blowing away fallen leaves. I really appreciated the opportunity to volunteer especially being able to meet and chat with the residents living at the scheme."
Staff enjoyed a lunch of hot soup and crusty rolls, which was shared with some of the residents who were unable to leave their homes due to poor health, helping them to feel involved with the day.
Claire Walker, Team Leader for Golding’s OPAL service (Older People, Active Lives), said: “It was a thoroughly enjoyable day, with teams working together to make a difference at these two schemes. I would like to thank Homeleigh Supplies in Staplehurst for donating tools and equipment, and Golding colleagues for the spring bulbs and bedding plants. The work carried out by our staff and the new plants has made such a difference to the gardens, which all the residents can enjoy.”
Since the launch of Golding Giveback in 2018, staff at Golding Homes have donated over 74 days to various charities and causes, with further days booked in throughout December. The volunteering project provides charities and groups with much needed assistance, whilst also giving Golding employees an opportunity to find out about the work of other organisations.