Garden transformation begins at We Are Beams following £1000 donation

Local housebuilder Barratt David Wilson Homes has recently supported Hextable charity We Are Beams with a donation of £1000. The charity provides comprehensive support services to families with children and young people living with any form of physical, learning or sensory impairment. The donation from Sundridge-based Barratt David Wilson Kent will support ongoing renovation works at the charity’s Dragon’s Retreat respite centre.

The Dragon’s Retreat is an independent short break unit providing overnight care for children and young people with severe and complex health needs. The donation, which was made from Barratt David Wilson Kent’s Community Fund, will help We Are Beams to transform its children’s garden.

The new garden will feature a sensory area and a playground which will include accessible specialist play equipment. The charity also plans to develop a community vegetable patch and a central area with covered seating to allow the children and young people to socialise. Finally, the garden will incorporate a quiet space to allow the children to enjoy storytelling sessions. Alongside the donation, senior Directors from Barratt David Wilson Kent volunteered at Dragon’s Retreat on Friday 24thSeptember to help to charity to clear out the garden ahead of renovation works.

Julia Hussain, Corporate Fundraising Manager at We Are Beams, commented: “Our garden at the Dragon’s Retreat is 25 years old and in need of updating, particularly as many of our beneficiaries do not have readily accessible outdoor space. We want to create a safe space where they can enjoy a variety of activities. The children and staff would like to thank the Directors at Barratt David Wilson Kent for their support, and we look forward to seeing the garden once it’s finished and ready to be enjoyed by everyone here at We Are Beams.”

Natalie Perry, Sales and Marketing Director of Barratt David Wilson Kent, added: “We Are Beams looks after more than 450 families across Kent, so it is imperative that the garden reflects the diverse needs of their staff and children. We are really pleased to contribute towards the project, and hope that the families will be able to enjoy the space for many years to come. Our Directors would also like to thank the staff and volunteers at Dragon’s Retreat for their warm welcome, and they thoroughly enjoyed lending a hand to help clear out the space.”

To find out more about the We Are Beams or make a donation, visit https://wearebeams.org.uk.