Staff from housebuilder do the spadework at hospice garden in Stoke-on-Trent

- 20 Jun 22

Staff from a housebuilder rolled up their sleeves to help tidy up at the gardens of a hospice in Stoke-on-Trent, ready for the summer. A total of 11 employees from Vistry Group, which has its Mercia regional head office in Stafford and includes brand Bovis Homes, gave up their time to get stuck into gardening chores at Douglas Macmillan Hospice’s children’s site in Grace Road, Trentham, on Thursday 26 and Friday 27 May. Douglas Macmillan Hospice, which was first opened in 1973 and is known locally as Dougie Mac, provides specialist care services for adults, young adults and children who are facing life-limiting conditions. Following the amalgamation of the hospice with the Donna Louise Children’s Hospice in March 2021, care is provided at two hospice sites in Blurton and Trentham, as well as in people’s homes. The hospice supports families across Stoke-on-Trent, North Staffordshire and the surrounding villages, while the children’s service reaches families across Staffordshire and South Cheshire. Deborah Vickers, head of voluntary services at the Douglas Macmillan Hospice, said: “We now care for more than 3,500 people every year. As an independent charity we rely hugely on the support of the local community. We simply couldn’t do what we do without an army of dedicated volunteers who give their time to support almost every area of the organisation. “We’re delighted to be able to welcome volunteers from local businesses again to help around the hospice. They’re essential to enable us to complete larger projects in a shorter time, allowing our regular volunteers to continue with their day-to-day tasks. “We’re really grateful to the team of volunteers from Vistry who worked in our gardens, helping to get this vital space ready for the summer. Throughout the summer, the garden is full of fun and laughter as the children and their families enjoy this beautiful, safe, outdoor space.” Freya Halsall, marketing assistant for Vistry Mercia, said: “We are well aware of the amazing work that the Douglas Macmillan Hospice does for people at the hardest time of their lives. Our Vistry Mercia headquarters are in Stafford which falls within the area covered by the hospice and we were more than happy to help this brilliant local charity. “We are told that the garden and playground at the children’s site is a well-loved part of the hospice as it is fully accessible for wheelchair users, which means children of all ages and abilities can play together. It’s a really important place and it makes all our efforts so much more worthwhile.”

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