Volunteers lend helping hands at New Forest gardens to make the space accessible for all

A six-strong team of volunteers from the Southampton offices of Barratt Homes visited Furzey Gardens in Minstead recently, tasked with improving accessibility to the plant nursery.

The team got to work levelling and firming the gravel on two existing paths to ensure that visitors can safely visit the area.

And with the addition of a new third path specifically for workers, the space is also much safer for Head Gardener Pete White and his team, which includes around 30 people with learning disabilities and another 20 volunteers.

Deb Gibbs, Nursery Manager at Furzey Gardens, said: “The Barratt Homes team were friendly and hardworking, and they went above and beyond our hopes for the day.

“As well as making sure we have three safe paths in the nursery, they also ensured each path’s edging was lowered so it won’t become a trip hazard.

“This is something we’ve been wanting to do for a while and is vital for the safety of our workers and the people we support.”

Furzey Gardens has grown from a small informal woodland garden, planted by the Dalrymple family in 1922, to become an award-winning attraction in the heart of the New Forest National Park.

Nowadays the gardens are run by Minstead Trust, a Hampshire charity which provides support services to more than 300 people with learning disabilities.

It’s a cause which Anthony Dimmick, Community Liaison Manager at Barratt Homes, is more than happy to promote.

He said: “We want to support organisations in the communities where we are building new homes, and Furzey Gardens is providing a wonderful, countryside setting for people with learning disabilities, and for others to enjoy.

“Our team did a fantastic job today.”

Staff at Barratt Homes are each offered two days a year for volunteering projects like this one to help out local charities.