Green-fingered staff from Willmott Dixon swapped the office for being out in the fresh air, volunteering their time to restore the gardens at Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice.
More than 20 people based at the Letchworth head office of national construction and interior fitout company, Willmott Dixon, spent the day tidying up the hospice grounds doing tasks such as: jet washing, sanding and painting the benches; as well as planting and painting two summer houses. They were joined by staff from one of their supply chain partners, JBW Commercial Services Ltd, who also kindly donated 50 plants and erected new trellises in the hospice’s memory garden.
In between their work on the grounds the team, who have been supporting the hospice through fundraising activities since 2021, took the opportunity to find out more about Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice and how they support local families at the most difficult times of their lives, with talks from the hospice’s operations, volunteering, fundraising and family support teams.
Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice Head of Operations, Philip Evans, said: “Pandemic lockdowns and restrictions meant we have not had volunteers on site over the past two years. Our memory garden and furniture really needed some TLC and sprucing up. Thanks to the wonderful team from Willmott Dixon the garden looks even more beautiful than before for our patients, their families, volunteers and staff to enjoy.
“We hope that their visit to the hospice has also meant that they now know more about what we do for local families so that they can help take the word of our work, and how we support people when it matters, out into the community.”
Volunteers really enjoyed their day helping the hospice: “I know first hand the support Sue Ryder offers to the patients and their families, so I was glad we were able to help out, even if it’s only a small thing in comparison to the amazing work they do,” shared one volunteer.
Another added, “It was such a pleasure to spend the day working at the Sue Ryder Hospice. The staff were friendly and welcoming and the grounds were lovely (even lovelier by the time we left!).”
Rick Lee, Chief People Officer at Willmott Dixon said “Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice is an important part of our community and is of special importance to some of our team, who have seen first-hand the great work the charity does to look after loved ones at their time of need. Along with the team I was delighted to volunteer time to help restore the memory garden for the patients, families and staff that attend the hospice to enjoy.”
“Across our company, over the past 12 months more than 80 per cent of our people have taken part in a volunteering activity, it is something we are extremely proud of and forms one of the key pillars of the ‘Building Lives’ segment of our 2030 ‘Now or Never’ sustainability strategy, where we are driven to positively influence the lives of more than 10,000 people each year.”
Corporate support plays a key role in helping Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice to be there for local people and fill their last days with love. If you want to hear more about volunteering and corporate fundraising at Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice call 01767 642 410 or email: Joanne.Landucci@sueryder.org.
For more information on Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice visit: www.sueryder.org/how-we-can-help/sue-ryder-st-johns-hospice.
For more information on Willmott Dixon visit: www.willmottdixon.co.uk.
