Volunteers from Churchill Environmental Services and Churchill Cleaning Services rolled up their sleeves to help transform the garden at The Old Vicarage sheltered housing scheme in High Street.
The effort came ahead of a special summer celebration marking the 70th anniversary of Abbeyfield Living Society, the non-profit organisation which operates the scheme.
The Old Vicarage, which provides housing and support for older people, welcomed the volunteers for a community day focused on giving the outdoor space a new lease of life.
Churchill already has a long-standing relationship with The Old Vicarage through its regular water hygiene planned preventative maintenance work.
But the volunteering day offered the team an opportunity to spend quality time with residents and give something back to the community.
The volunteers painted the summerhouse, garden shed and benches, repaired the summerhouse door and added colourful ceramic plant pots, creating a bright and welcoming outdoor area which residents can now enjoy throughout the summer.
Residents were particularly pleased that the repaired summerhouse can once again provide shelter from the elements.
Many also commented on how beautiful the refreshed garden now looks and how much more it is already being used.
Churchill’s Community Ambassador, Fay Brooks-Stevens, said: “It was an absolute pleasure to be involved with such a positive community event.
“Seeing the happiness of the residents and the fantastic work being carried out by the staff made the day extremely rewarding for our team.
“We are grateful to Abbeyfield for welcoming us and allowing us to play a small part in such a special day.”
While the volunteers worked in the garden, residents enjoyed entertainment in the home’s Bond Room, complete with glasses of sherry and an ABBA tribute act.
By lunchtime, the transformed garden was ready to host a sunny barbeque attended by residents and their relatives, staff and volunteers.
The Churchill team stayed on to help serve food and chat with residents and families.
Resident Rosemary said: “The overall feeling was what a super time everyone had.
“The staff as usual worked so hard and they were all exhausted, but they knew they had done an excellent job for all the residents and to celebrate Abbeyfield’s birthday.
Alix Mould, whose mother Joan lives at The Old Vicarage, also praised the “delicious food” and “wonderful staff” who had made the celebration so memorable.
The makeover formed part of celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of Abbeyfield.
It began with a single house in Bermondsey, East London, and has since grown into a nationwide network of more than 200 care homes, sheltered housing schemes and independent living complexes supporting thousands of older people.
