Volunteers spruce up green spaces
GARDENS, patios and play areas are being given a new lease of life across Halton with the support of the Mersey Gateway team’s Time Bank initiative.
Time Bank is a way for bridge tolling operator Merseyflow and the project company responsible for its provision and operation Merseylink to demonstrate their commitment to the borough and provide practical help and support to schools, colleges, charities, and community groups.
The initiative involves members of the Merseyflow and Merseylink teams reviving gardens, patios and play areas for charities across Runcorn and Widnes, including the Warrington & Halton Hospitals’ Charity, Westfield Community Playgroup and LOOSE Charity.
The Warrington & Halton Hospitals’ (WHH) Charity raises funds to provide additional comforts, care or experiences for the direct benefit of patients and their families beyond that which the NHS provides.
The project for WHH Charity involves members of the Merseyflow and Merseylink teams reviving gardens around Halton
General Hospital in Runcorn, with the addition of brightly painted furniture, beautiful birdhouses and blooming flowers.
WHH Charity head of fundraising Helen Higginson said: “The project is hugely beneficial for our patients and their families.
“By creating fabulous gardens to enjoy, our patients can feel more at home. We’re incredibly grateful for all of our project volunteers who are giving up their time to take on the challenge.”
Westfield Community Playgroup – which is used by children aged two to five years in Runcorn – also welcomed the team’s enthusiasm to revitalise its play areas with a new wooden kitchen, sandpit sunshade, outdoor tap, concrete flags and a fresh new look for their play equipment.
Playgroup manager Patricia Anderson said: “We would like to thank the Mersey Gateway team for all they have done for us through the Time Bank initiative.
“By helping us to enhance these areas the children who use the playgroup will enjoy many hours of quality play and learning.”
LOOSE is a charity based in Widnes and it runs The Studio which provides access to theatre, music and the creative arts.
A wide range of residents use the facilities, including people with mental health issues or learning disabilities.
The Mersey Gateway team renovated a small area of land at the rear of The Studio, which now features an attractive garden for service users to enjoy.
Studio project manager Louise Nulty said: “To have the support of Time Bank to transform our back space into a welcoming, attractive haven is fantastic.
“It has rewarded and inspired volunteers of all ages - one volunteer has even bought a pizza oven for the area!
“The revived area lifts everyone who attends, especially those who have seen it over many years. They can’t believe the change and the fact that it is now a usable and beautiful place for our visitors.”
The team has provided hundreds of hours of volunteering and more than 50 volunteers for the initiative throughout 2019.
Merseylink network steward Karen Atherton said: “It’s been a fantastic year for the Time Bank scheme. Over the summer, the team really enjoyed projects from enhancing the play area for Westfield Community Playgroup to creating a garden area for LOOSE Charity.
“We look forward to welcoming even more projects on board in the new year, when we relaunch the Time Bank application scheme 2020.”
Merseyflow head of human resources Beatriz Fuentes added: “We are proud to support the work of amazing local charities through the Time Bank initiative.
“Getting involved in the community challenges has brought our team together and provided the opportunity to engage with volunteers.” for