A forgotten patch outside Owen Waters House on Fulwell Avenue has been brightened up with a mix of bulbs, flowers and evergreen planting by a group of volunteers from Redbridge Council’s maintenance contractor, Mears Group.

Mears encourages their staff to volunteer up to two working days a year in support of its social value commitment and the office team, including two apprentices, were inspired to make a difference outside the tower block, removing old plants and tidying the area.

The team chatted to residents and found out that many of them enjoy gardening and growing vegetables, and around ten people joined in with the planting. Many of the residents now plan to look after the plants, particularly with watering during the hotter months.  

The compost and plants were funded by a grant from The Mears Foundation, the charitable arm of Mears Group, which exists to benefit charities or good causes providing practical help and support to vulnerable people in the communities served by Mears.

Mears volunteers have also been out and about litter picking on the Mount Pleasant Estate, Buttsbury Road and Medway Close, assisting the estates’ caretaker who had noticed a build-up of additional litter following the Easter break.

Elisee Ngenge, Mears Customer Success Coordinator, said:

Every tenant we spoke to said that they were very grateful for what we were doing as although it is such a small thing, it really makes a big difference seeing so much colour at the entrance to the estate. We were also pleased to support our caretaking Redbridge colleague with keeping the estates looking clean and tidy

Cllr Vanisha Solanki, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness added:

On behalf of the Council and myself; a big thank you to the residents who helped maintain the grounds outside some of our housing blocks, and further agreed to volunteer their time in making sure the grounds remain maintained as we head towards the summer months.

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