A fantastic new garden for Helen & Douglas House
The story of how a request for a quote turned into a volunteer movement.
New Garden for Helen & Douglas House, Oxford
The story began when Managing Director Darren Field was called in to Helen & Douglas House to quote for a new garden, and ended in a “DIY-SOS” style outpouring of support from the Oxfordshire community.
Darren said, “They wanted me to quote to renovate their garden area. They explained to me that some of the children are here for end-of-life care, and that sometimes the garden is the last thing they will see in their short lives, and the place where their family will remember them.
I was shocked at the state of the garden, and started to put together a plan based on all the ideas they had, promising to get back to them with a quote the next day.
As I drove away, the only thought in my mind was, “This has to be made better. These children need something beautiful to look at and experience.”
And I knew I couldn’t charge them for it.
This is not ‘just another job’ – it’s so much more than that – so I called everybody I knew, and the response was overwhelming. About 20 companies offered funding and materials for free. Each Saturday we had everybody from CEO’s of big companies to people without jobs giving up their time. It turned into a fantastic movement that really wanted to turn it around.”
The result is a lovely garden, and a testament to the generosity of the people and businesses who made it happen.
See the video above for a full list of volunteers and funders.
“Our wonderful new garden allows local terminally ill children to play, muck about and enjoy sensory experiences, and it is also a peaceful, tranquil haven for parents to sit in and reflect during both happy and sad times on their own or with their children. It has made such an enormous difference to families whose children and grandchildren use the hospice, we are so thrilled to have such an awesome space.
This would not have been possible without Darren’s incredible work, and the help he engaged to design and build our garden, as well as bringing in so many volunteers and free or discounted materials through his contacts. A massive thank you to Darren and his team who made this amazing transformation possible.”
Clare Periton, Chief Executive of Helen & Douglas House
Helen and Douglas House was founded in 1982 and delivers care and support for children with life-limiting illnesses across the Thames Valley.
It currently cares for around 160 children, and the charity also continues to support bereaved families for as long as they need it. It needs to raise £3.6 million each year to continue to deliver its services, and you can donate here.
Project info
- Client name: Helen & Douglas House
- Client address: East Oxford
- Date completed: August 2021
- Duration: 4 months
- Project cost: Entirely funded by donors and free labour
Work done
- Garden Design & Planning
- Project Management
- Groundworks
- Wheelchair-friendly Paths
- Covered Areas
- Sensory Water Features
- Wheelchair Swing
- Bubble Machine
- New Fencing
- New Lawn Areas
- Raised Herb Beds
- Landscaping
New Garden for Helen & Douglas House Oxford
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