Trust volunteers lay down new roots for residents (From Messenger Newspapers)

Trafford Housing Trust volunteers lay down new roots for residents

8:00am Wednesday 20th March 2013 in News

RESIDENTS at a sheltered housing scheme in Timperley will be laying down new roots this spring, thanks to the efforts of a team of Trafford Housing Trust (THT) volunteers.

Nineteen THT staff recently gave up their time to help construct a new greenhouse and large storage shed for a communal garden at Millom Court, on Cartmel Drive.

The team also gave the garden a makeover, improving the paths and fencing and adding new plants donated by Fairway Landscapes.

Andy Pearson, repairs service manager at THT, organised the volunteers. He said: “We knew that the gardens at Millom Court needed improving but that finding the funding would be difficult.

“I sent a message out to my colleagues to see if anyone wanted to join me over the weekend to carry out the work, and it was fantastic to get such an enthusiastic response.”

THT is a member of the Greater Manchester Volunteering Leadership Group, set up to encourage more businesses in the region to get involved with staff volunteering.

The trust also works alongside Pulse Regeneration to run Thrive Trafford - a support service for charity organisations in the borough which will be officially launched at en event on March 21.

Aine Graven, Business Engagement Officer at the trust and part of the Thrive Trafford team, said: “As well as encouraging our staff to volunteer with initiatives like our Give and Gain day, we are now encouraging other businesses in Trafford to get involved through Thrive Trafford. Voluntary projects are a great way to build team spirit whilst making a real difference in our local communities – and anyone interested in finding out more should contact us at Thrive.”

Give and Gain Day is an annual staff volunteering scheme run by the trust. All members of staff spend a day working on community projects around Trafford – with plans for this year’s event in May set to be announced in the spring.

The new facilities provided by the trust at Millom Court will enable green-fingered residents to realise their growing gardening ambitions.

Barbara Gleave, aged 66, who has lived at Millom Court for four years, said: “We’re looking forward to using the greenhouse to grow tomatoes, vegies, salad – all sorts of things.

“We’re lucky to have a lovely garden here, and this will add a whole new dimension. It was really good of the staff to give up their time to get everything set up. We’re all thrilled with the results.”

Anyone wanting to find out more about volunteering in Trafford or accessing support from voluntary teams should contact Thrive Trafford on 0300 777 0145 or visit www.thrivetrafford.co.uk or email info@thrivetrafford.org.uk.