A local housebuilder, Barratt Developments North East, has generously donated £1,500 to a community garden in Gateshead.
This act forms part of the company’s admirable initiative to support and give back to the communities in which it undertakes construction projects.
Whinnie’s Community Garden is open to all residents of Gateshead and surrounding areas and features several themed gardens, two play areas, the Chatterbox Cafe and a meeting place for groups and workshops. Acting as a place of sanctity for its visitors, the garden also welcomes volunteers to help maintain the grounds, with volunteering duties suitable for everyone whether able-bodied, disabled or have learning difficulties and are all encouraged to come along and be part of our team.
The local housebuilder donated to Whinnie’s Community Garden as part of its Community Fund initiative, which was established to reach those most in need living close to its developments. The donation follows the existing relationship between the Community Garden and Barratt Developments, as last year saw members of the Commercial team volunteer their time at the gardens to carry out some much-needed volunteering work.
This included helping to replace shed roofs, painting sheds and fences, general weeding and tidying, and the removal of rubble. This year involved the same activity, as well as donating bric-a-brac such as books, chairs and benches to the gardens from Barratt Developments’ nearby show homes.
This recent donation will go towards the installation of an electricity supply to the garden which will transform its current offering to the surrounding community. Previously, the cafe was supplied by a generator which was expensive to run and damaging to the environment. Now, the new mains electricity will enable volunteers to operate gardening power tools and also maintain the pump to the pond, which oxygenates the water and the filter, creating a healthier habitat for the fish. Finally, it also means the visitors will now receive an enhanced experience, especially in the Chatterbox Cafe, as it is now able to provide a wider range of snacks, including ice cream.
“We want to say a huge thank you to Barratt Developments for its huge support of our community garden initiative. This donation will be instrumental in helping us bring electricity to the garden and continue to provide a vibrant and sustainable green space that benefits the local community.”
Speaking on the donation, Chris McLaren, Chairperson at Whinnie’s Community Garden
“It was fantastic to get to know more about the work being done at Whinnie’s Community Garden. When we volunteered last year, it felt only right to continue our support of this initiative with our Community Fund. Green spaces are vital to local communities and a hub like Whinnie’s is exactly what’s needed in Gateshead, so we’re more than happy to help the team boost its capabilities to better serve local residents.”
Alex Lawson, Commercial Director at Barratt Developments North East
Barratt Developments North East, which includes Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes, has an array of housing developments across the North East. Whether you’re a first-time buyer looking to get onto the property ladder, a growing family looking for your next home, or needing to downsize, Barratt Developments can offer a property to suit.
For more information on developments across the North East please visit: https://www.barratthomes.co.uk/new-homes/north-east/
