VOLUNTEERS from two local companies rolled up their sleeves to help transform the garden at The Old Vicarage sheltered housing scheme.

Churchill Environmental Services and Churchill Cleaning Services stepped in to help with the revamping of the garden head of plans for a special summer celebration to mark the 70th anniversary of Abbeyfield Living Society.

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.

A shed at The Old Vicarage being spruced up by local corporate volunteers helping to transform the garden.
A shed at The Old Vicarage being spruced up by local corporate volunteers helping to transform the garden. (Abbeyfield Living Society)

Volunteers painted the summerhouse, garden shed and benches, and repaired the summerhouse door adding colourful ceramic plant pots, to create a bright and welcoming outdoor area that residents can now enjoy throughout the summer.

The repaired summerhouse can once again provide shelter from the elements for residents, while many 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.

Volunteers spent time painting, repairing and giving the garden some TLC ready for the summer.
Volunteers spent time painting, repairing and giving the garden some TLC ready for the summer. (Abbeyfield Living Society)

“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.”

The makeover formed part of celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of Abbeyfield, which began with a single house in Bermondsey, East London in 1956. Seventy years later and the not-for-profit organisation that provides housing, care and support to older people across England has grown into a nationwide network of more than 200 care homes, sheltered housing schemes and independent living complexes supporting thousands.

The Old Vicarage celebrated the garden transformation with an afternoon of music and food.
The Old Vicarage celebrated the garden transformation with an afternoon of music and food. (Abbeyfield Living Society)

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 that had many of the residents up singing and dancing.

By lunchtime, the transformed garden was ready to host a sunny barbecue attended by residents and their relatives, staff and volunteers. Guests enjoyed a feast including salads, pasta dishes, quiches and barbecue favourites fresh from the grill, while the Churchill team stayed on to help serve food and chat with residents and families.

Resident Rosemary said: “What a day! The overall feeling was what a super time everyone had.

Corporate volunteers from Churchill spent time chatting with residents as they worked on the garden.
Corporate volunteers from Churchill spent time chatting with residents as they worked on the garden. (Abbeyfield Living Society)

“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.”

“A lovely day was had by all full of friendship, laughter, and food – what more could we ask for,” added Alix Mould, whose mother Joan lives at The Old Vicarage, praising the “delicious food” and “wonderful staff” that made the celebration so memorable.