Kier Group team transforms Devon charity’s community allotment
An Exminister charity is saying a massive ‘thank you’ to the Kier Group following its recent provision of resources to ensure the Westbank’s Community allotment is accessible for users.
Eleven local volunteers from Kier’s Natural Resources Nuclear and Networks division spent days working on the project.
They created a tarmac access ramp, levelled the ground and put down a concrete pathway to make the allotment accessible to wheelchair users. The monetary value of the work amounted to around the £7,000 mark (including labour and materials).
‘We have over 500 direct employees in the South West, and we give them each two volunteering days a year to help charities and good causes,’ explains Kerry Fenton of Kier NRNN, which provides infrastructure services.
‘We connected with Westbank following a conference last year where we spoke about the social value of corporate volunteering. As a result, we supported Westbank’s Community Larder last Christmas.’
‘Then we got talking about Westbank’s plans to develop the Community Allotment and realised that this would be a great opportunity for us to help a grassroots local charity in a very practical way.’
‘I’ve lived in the Exeter area for 30-odd years. I’d heard of Westbank, but didn’t realise the extent of what the charity offers as a whole. I’ve been blown away by the organisation and everything it achieves.’
Westbank Community Allotment: one of the volunteers from Kier working on the new pathway (image provided by Kier).
‘It really is about leaving a legacy’
‘It gives so much back to the community and these are exactly the kind of projects we want to get involved in. Our people are just so happy to help make a difference and get a huge sense of achievement from it.’
‘It’s not just about ticking a Social Value box for us. It really is about leaving a legacy within the communities in which we work.’
The competed pathway making the allotment fully accessible. Image: Sharon Goble
‘Growing produce in our Community Allotment is a big part of Westbank’s drive to be sustainable,’ says Katie Elliott, Westbank’s Head of Marketing and Fundraising.
‘In fact, our efforts towards sustainability and improving the local environment have recently been recognised by several awards. To have such a significant contribution from Kier means an awful lot to us.’
‘It’s enabled us to progress our plans much faster than we would otherwise have been able to, and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone from Kier who has supported us.’
‘To have the backing of an outward-looking business who wants to get involved with us is fantastic. We look forward to working together with Kier on other projects in the future.’
Westbank is now in the process of developing a planting schedule for the allotment.
The charity says it’s looking forward to welcoming back Kier’s volunteers to see the end result – and to try some of the freshly-grown produce.
Breaktime News recently reported on the positive difference made by staff at Westbank Community Health and Care.
