RESIDENTS of a care home in Almondsbury have seen their back garden undergo an incredible transformation thanks to a group of hardworking volunteers.

Crantock Drive, run by the charity Milestones Trust, houses and supports eight adults with learning disabilities.

Over the course of three days, workers from infrastructure firm Balfour Beatty worked on the garden.

In addition to cleaning up the garden and making general improvements, the volunteers purchased a new barbeque and an artificial lawn.

Flowerbeds have been dug up and replanted, a disused pond has been revived, and garden furniture has been sanded and repainted. 

A new raised bed will also allow people receiving care at the home to grow their own vegetables.

Volunteers even found time to paint some of the rooms inside the home. 

The team was made up of Balfour Beatty staff working on the M4/M5 DHS enhancements project as partners of the SMP Alliance Scheme.

Staff from their supply chain Fortel and Zone were also involved.

Gazette Series: Volunteers David, Barry, John, Darren and Alston in the transformed garden of Crantock Drive Volunteers David, Barry, John, Darren and Alston in the transformed garden of Crantock Drive (Image: Milestones Trust)

Gazette Series: Before the transformation Before the transformation (Image: Milestones Trust)

Gazette Series: The garden at Crantock Drive was transformed thanks to a group of volunteers The garden at Crantock Drive was transformed thanks to a group of volunteers (Image: Milestones Trust)

Foreman David Sephton, who led the volunteering project, says: “I just saw a massive opportunity and it really inspired me. 

“It saddened me to learn that the outdoor area hadn’t been used since before the Covid-19 pandemic. 

“They had no greenery, and simply weeding the plants wasn’t going to be enough. 

“We needed to do a full overhaul and create something really special for them.

“After we’d finished the work, we were invited back for a garden party, and it was brilliant. 

“It was a privilege to help and to finally see the residents able to use the outdoor space. 

“Not only that, but we’ve built a lovely relationship with the charity too.”

Tina Locke-Harries, service manager at Crantock Drive, says: “It is a pleasure to see the people we support all enjoying a cup of tea in their new garden. 

“The smiles on their faces are priceless. 

“We cannot thank the volunteers enough for what they have done for the people we support, their family and friends, and the staff team.”