Staff swap jobs to build school garden

Salix Homes Staff undertaking clearance work at the school

Housing staff have swapped the office for the outdoors to help build a garden for school children.

Staff at Salix Homes, Salford City Council's housing management company for Central Salford, have started work on clearing a plot of land at St Peter & St John RC primary school in Salford to create an interactive garden for children.

The garden is being built as part of a WIN (Winning in Neighbourhoods) Days initiative run by Salix Homes which encourages staff to spend six days a year away from their normal jobs to get involved in helping local communities..

Six members of staff have volunteered to help build the garden as part of the initiative and will see the project through to completion.

Staff have taken the first steps to clear away rubbish from the disused site and cut back overgrown shrubbery and trees with help from Groundwork and Jackson Lloyd, ready for an architect to design the garden.

The garden is expected to be finished in September and will feature different zones for children to play, including a touch and feel area to inspire creativity and a section for more relaxed playing.

Over 50 local community organisations in Central Salford have teamed up with Salix Homes on WIN Days to offer volunteering places to members of staff

All levels of staff are taking part in the initiative and individuals are able to choose what they would like to do, as long as it directly benefits communities in Central Salford.

WIN Days started earlier this year and is a permanent programme that Salix Homes will run as part of their commitment to the local community.

Kevin Turner, co-ordinator for WIN Days at Salix Homes said: "We're delighted that we're able to make a difference at the school by helping to create an exciting area that will be enjoyed by so many children.

Chris Gibbins, Director of Neighbourhood Services added "WIN Days is a great way for us to get out and about in the local community and lend an extra hand where we can to give something back to local people.

"It also gives staff the chance try their skills at something different and learn more about the community and voluntary organisations that we work with in Central Salford, which will also help us provide better services for our customers."

ENDS

Notes for editors

Salix Homes Ltd is helping to deliver Salford City Council's five-year strategy to bring all council housing up to the Decent Homes Standard, a multi-million pound vision for the city.

Salix Homes is an Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO) and is a not-for-profit company responsible for the day-to-day management of 10,600 homes across Central Salford, Rainsough Brow and Beechfarm.

It is responsible for housing-led regeneration services which come within the Manchester-Salford Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder area.

For more information on Salix Homes, please contact Public Relations Officer, Katy Barnes on 0161 793 3157.

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