Construction firm volunteers give Mayday garden a makeover – Inside Croydon

An essential space for bereaved families, within Croydon’s largest hospital’s maternity unit, has been given a facelift thanks to volunteers from Wates Group.

Planting hope: Midwife Vanessa Alfredo helps with the planting at the remodeled hospital garden

The Garden Suite, a comforting and private area, provides an important space for bereaved families who wish to spend time in an environment that is close to Croydon University Hospital’s maternity teams.

The team from Wates cut back shrubs, removed weeds, pressure-washed pathways, installed new garden furniture and did some planting to revamp the space, giving access to the peaceful outdoor area away from the hospital’s clinical environment.

The makeover work was completed in a day, ready for presentation to the nursing team at the hospital.

“The garden has been completely transformed,” said Croydon Health Services NHS Trust chief nurse Deborah Kelly.

“This space is just one of the many ways we support families within our maternity unit.

“This initiative, led by our dedicated bereavement midwife and supported by Wates Group, will help to provide a home away from home environment for our patients at one of the most difficult times in their lives. We’re incredibly grateful for Wates’ support.”

The construction and engineering firm has links with Croydon going back four generations of the Wates family. The company implements several social impact initiatives in the borough, including for Lives Not Knives, Be Inspired, the Croydon Apprenticeship Fair, the Zen Bus For Mental Health, a project for planting vegetables in the grounds of sheltered housing, as well as providing food for the homeless.

The Mayday garden makeover is part of Wates’ social value philosophy of supporting community projects through volunteering.

Work done: Wates volunteers and nursing staff after the garden had been transformed – from left Steven Clark, Michael Whilby (Wates Group), Stacy Tregellas, Vanessa Alfredo, Chloe Bruney, Molly Davis, and Becky Martin and Rachel Neckles (Wates Group)

“It’s great to be able to help make a difference,” said Steven Clarke, Wates’ lead on the project.

“It is important to us at Wates that we play a part in the community by improving places and making positive differences.

“The volunteers work locally, too. They’ve done a great job, and we hope it makes a difference to the hospital, patients and loved ones.”

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