New Communal Garden Unveiled at Care Leavers Hub

Representatives from Wigan Council and Allied Infrastructure were delighted to formally open the new Communal Garden area at the Care Leavers Hub (CLH) in Platt Bridge today, concluding this highly successful 6-month project. Opened in 2022, the Hub is a safe space for care experienced young people aged 18–25, where they receive continued support from their Leaving Care Personal Advisors, the team and partner agencies.  It is staffed by a dedicated and experienced team, who provide holistic support to over 340 care leavers. The facilities include kitchens, bathrooms, meeting rooms, staff offices, and communal areas dedicated for young people – enabling them to access support, as well as to practice valuable life skills, within a safe and friendly environment.

In November 2024, the CLH team used the “Match My Project” digital platform to advertise for a business partner, who could help them to revitalise the disused and overgrown grassed area at the front of the building. At this time, Allied Infrastructure, specialist civil engineering contractor, and part of Colas Ltd, were seeking to engage with a local community partner, and responded to the advertisement. Based in Leigh (at the Moss Industrial Estate), we provide construction and maintenance solutions to the aviation and highways sectors. Our forty-five person team is locally-based, providing strong links to the local community.

In December, representatives from Allied attended the Hub to discuss the project requirements, which were based around transforming the area into a pleasant and welcoming outdoor space, which could be used for activities, events, and individual reflection.  The Allied team agreed to develop a proposal, and also donated a number of Christmas gift sets for the young people.

From January to March, our team (led by Head of Allied Paul Hancock, and Construction Manager Mick Martin) commenced preparations for the works. This included: developing the proposed layout, preparing risk assessments and method statements, and procuring materials and equipment. In line with “circular economy” principles, were able to secure a donation of excess paving slabs from Colas’ nearby Cheshire West & Chester contract, and to re-purpose spare timbers into planters for the garden area. Allied’s supply chain partner Flannery Plant also agreed to donate a mini-excavator for the duration of the works, free-of-charge.  Over this period, both parties used regular meetings to maintain strong channels of communication. Participation Lead Zoe Zones and Senior Leaving Care Personal Advisor Lesley Malone also attended Allied’s offices to deliver a presentation to our staff.

The project commenced in mid-April, and took around 3 weeks to complete. Allied’s multi-skilled Operatives and Supervisors carried out the majority of the works, with office-based staff supporting with various activities during the latter stages (more than 300 pro bono hours were worked in total). Key activities included: top-soil excavation, placement of granular material, laying of paving slabs and astro-turf, erection of bamboo screening, and painting of the surrounding masonry walls.  As the works progressed over the Easter period, Allied also arranged for staff donations of Easter Eggs, to support the Hub’s programme of Easter activities.

Following completion of the works, the CLH team were able to secure grant funding for a barbeque and various items of outdoor furniture, which were chosen by the young people, to ensure their active involvement in the project.

The garden was officially opened today, with representatives from the CLH, Allied Infrastructure, and the Wigan Council in attendance. Both the Hub team and young people were delighted with the transformed space, which will be used for a wide variety of activities. Discussions are currently progressing regarding future collaborative initiatives, such as structured work experience placements based on “trauma-informed practices”.

We are looking forward to working collaboratively in the future, and creating further opportunities to enhance the lives of Care Leavers.