A group of 14 graduates from different northern divisions and disciplines planned the makeover as part of our Graduate Community Programme.
They spent the preceding weeks planning and preparing for the project, this included sourcing time, help and materials from our suppliers and sub-contractors, then 12 of them came together for two days to carry out the work.
Approximately 300 hours of prep work and on-the-day volunteering were invested by the graduates and subcontractors, with in excess of £1,000 worth of goods and materials all contributed to making the project a huge success for the hospice
Ceri Williams, sustainability graduate trainee at our national headquarters in North East Wales, explained: “We’ve spent two days tidying up the gardens, including enlisting the support of three of Redrow’s sub-contractors, Idverde, R Joyce Joinery and Eurogold, to replace a pagoda which was beyond repair. We were assisted by another subcontractor, Smalley’s, who painted all pagodas. We also installed planters which were made by graduates, and hedgehog shelters, bird boxes/feeders, bug hotels and solar lights, all of which had kindly been donated by suppliers.”
Among those who supported were Eco2Solar, Bennetts Architectural Ironmongery, Luceco, Jewson and Flintshire Crane Hire.
“We particularly enjoyed working alongside regular hospice volunteers who maintain the grounds, and generally helping out in any way we could. It’s great to come together like this and do something that benefits the community. Patients at the hospice now have a much more usable, enjoyable space,” Ceri added.
Also involved was Jack Williamson, graduate trainee commercial, who said: “We have learned crucial new skills, including teamwork, project management, negotiation, communication and leadership. These skills will benefit us in future roles as they are extremely transferrable and relevant to helping us conduct our daily roles more effectively.”
Technical graduate trainee Zahir Ali made planters for the project and other graduates have found different ways to help the hospice. For instance, graduate IT web developer Jack Tomkins donated an iPad and Matt Ould, a graduate IT software programmer, is developing a bespoke games app for them.
Our Graduate Community Programme is well-established and, each year, a different project is chosen. The suggestion to work with the Marie Curie Hospice came from Amy Bates, an area sales manager for our Lancashire division.
Amy, who herself first joined us as a graduate trainee in 2015, said: “My grandmother spent five months at the hospice in 2016 before she passed away and since then our family has stayed very involved, supporting them in any way we can. I’d seen on social media that they were looking for gardeners, so it seemed the perfect opportunity to match them up for this year’s Graduate Community Project.
“I popped along on one of the days to see the team in action and was very impressed. With the help of some of the centre’s own volunteers and our trades they have created lovely spaces for patients and visitors to sit and relax.”
The Marie Curie Hospice, on Speke Road, Woolton, provides in-patient care, day services, support and information to people with life limiting conditions, including end of life care for some patients and bereavement support for their families.
Bernard O’Pray, facilities manager at the Marie Curie Hospice, Liverpool, said: “We are always so grateful to receive support from the community to bolster our work at the hospice. The garden is such an important space for our patients and our staff, who benefit from being able to get fresh air and a break, and the assistance from all the volunteers on its upkeep is very much appreciated.”
We offer a number of different graduate training programmes, as well as our own sponsored degree programme for under-graduates. Alongside apprenticeships and other vocational training, this accounts for around 15% of our workforce having trainee status.
“It’s not just about learning the job. More general life skills, personal development and teamwork are also important considerations and that’s where activities like the Graduate Community Programme are really valuable,” said Bethany Toomey, graduate manager.
“We’re delighted with the way that this year’s graduate cohort came together in Liverpool and to see the results of their enthusiasm and commitment.”
Time spent at the Marie Curie centre by the graduates will count towards our 1,000 days of volunteering pledge announced earlier this year.
To find out more about graduate training opportunities with us visit: www.redrowplc.co.uk/careers/early-careers/graduates/
