A helping hand: Devon housebuilder wraps up 510 hours of charitable support

A housebuilder in Devon has dedicated 68 days of volunteering in the local community within the last year.

Team members from Barratt Bristol, currently building at Okement Park in Okehampton, have racked up an impressive number of days supporting local charities, organisations and groups through voluntary work

Over the past year, the team has supported several charitable causes, from litter picking on Exmouth Beach, helping to landscape the gardens at Poltimore House and helping with general maintenance at Portishead Youth Centre.

One of the larger projects involved helping restore the gardens at James Hopkins Trust at Kites Corner. Nine Barratt Bristol team members rolled up their sleeves to update the Trust’s sensory garden, cleaning the outdoor play equipment, de-weeding and cutting the grass, before ending the day jet washing the patio area. Since then, members of Barratt Bristol have returned to continue to build a lasting relationship.

Laura Brooker, Fundraiser at Kites Corner, said: “It was a pleasure to have two teams from Barratt Bristol join us at Kite’s Corner for two days to help maintain our sensory garden. Both of the teams worked so hard, nothing was too much trouble!

“The help the teams provided saved us approximately £1,150 in garden maintenance, allowing us to ensure the money we raise can be used where it is needed most, providing nursing respite care for the children.”

Looking ahead to next year, Barratt Bristol has pledged to exceed this record and is committing 100 days to volunteering for local causes.

Richard Lawson, Sales Director of Barratt Bristol, said: “Creating and supporting thriving communities is at the heart of everything we do here at Barratt Bristol. This ethos is also embodied by our team members, many of whom are passionate about local causes and are regular volunteers already, whether it’s spending a few hours each week at their local foodbank or supporting local charities. We believe their commitment deserves to be recognised, celebrated, and encouraged!

“There are so many benefits to volunteering, beyond making a difference to the local community, from building self-confidence to developing leadership skills, so we hope our 100-day pledge next year will encourage more team members to go out and support a cause they find meaningful.”

The volunteering days are one of several initiatives supported by the Barratt Redrow Foundation, which focuses on creating lasting social value through volunteering,

partnerships and grassroots support across the UK. Since its launch in 2021, the foundation has donated more than £20 million to more than 1,700 local and national charities.

Barratt Bristol also donates £1,500 a month to local charities that create a positive change and offer support to the local community.

For more information about Barratt’s Okement Park, please visit www.barratthomes.co.uk/okement-park.