Barratt Homes staff roll up their sleeves and tidy gardens at Heartbeat charity’s ‘home from home’

Three volunteers from Barratt Homes’ Southampton Division headed to Heartbeat House this week to spruce up the gardens in time for winter.

The team got to work clearing leaves, sweeping paths and tidying up planting areas at the house, run by local cardiac charity Heartbeat.

It provides a ‘home from home’ for the families and friends of those receiving treatment at the Wessex Cardiac Unit at Southampton General Hospital.

As well as the gardens, Heartbeat House has 24 bedrooms and comfortable communal spaces including a lounge and kitchen area.

Tanya Harder, community fundraising and marketing manager at Heartbeat, said: “Without the generous donations and support we receive from the community, we wouldn’t be able to provide the facilities that make life less stressful for people who need heart surgery.

“Heartbeat House is just three minutes’ walk from the cardiac wards, making visiting so much easier.

“Our peaceful gardens are very much part of the Heartbeat House experience, and we’re really grateful to the team from Barratt Homes for their hard work.

“Everyone rolled their sleeves up and got stuck in, and the gardens were looking smart in no time at all.”

All Barratt employees can take two days a year on full pay to dedicate to volunteering time for worthy projects in the community.

Tamsin Nichols, marketing co-ordinator at Barratt Homes, said: “We’re so proud of everyone who gives up their time to help others.

“Colleagues have allocated their volunteering days to all sorts of activities, from painting drop-in centres for food banks and mental health charities to supporting community exercise classes for older people and much more.

“Volunteering is about community – it helps you feel a sense of belonging.

“It’s also about making new friends and gaining some skills along the way. And or course, it’s great fun too.”

• barratthomes.co.uk
• heartbeat.co.uk