The team of eight graduates were approached by the school to help with a host of outdoor improvements to enrich play time for school children. They followed in the footsteps of a previous cohort of our graduates who made improvements at the school last summer.
The works undertaken this year included building a new fence, creating a water play area, refilling sandpits, clearing and weeding overgrown areas, building new benches, painting the “farm shop” shed, and donating raised beds, two sheds, a mud kitchen, and new school signage. In addition, the team planted a range of plants and arranged for the pupils to plant some themselves throughout the summer term.
In the weeks leading up to the community project, the volunteer team, who are all on our graduate training programme, planned the work and sourced all materials on a zero budget, with help from donations by our suppliers and contractors.
Redrow graduate trainee Sam Thomas said: “It’s been a great experience for all of us and a really successful project. There was 15 weeks of prep in the lead up to starting work on site; sourcing materials, donations and general planning . Most of this was carried out over the phone and on video calls as we’re based all over the country. I’m from Cardiff and we have team members from London, Liverpool, Manchester, the midlands and further south too. It was really nice to come together and work at the school for four days as we don’t get to spend that much time together.
“On the final day the school children all came outside and joined us on the school field. They sang their school anthem to us and each of us was given a handwritten thank you card. It made the whole project even more rewarding to know we had helped give the children an even better outside space.”
Mr Hamilton, head teacher at Ysgol Sychdyn, said: “Yet again, having the graduates from Redrow with us has been amazing. It is well known that schools all over the country are finding it harder and harder to balance their budgets. When I started at Ysgol Sychdyn in January 2023 the school was in a deficit budget position so cuts had to made. Redrow’s invaluable support through their graduates, and the donations they have secured, has meant that areas where our children play and learn outside have not suffered, but in fact these areas have been transformed and turned into some of the most exciting, valuable and popular areas for learning. Our children deserve to be excited and inspired and have safe stimulating learning environments; we are indebted to Redrow for helping us achieve this. Sincere thanks from everyone at Ysgol Sychdyn. Your generosity, kindness and hard work is not only helping today’s learners but future generations too. Diolch.”
Holly Jones, employee engagement advisor at Redrow, added: “The graduates have all worked so hard. The final outcome is fantastic, and the benefits will be felt by the school for many years to come.
“Not only has the project helped the community, but the graduates themselves have developed their own skills in problem-solving, procurement and negotiation, all of which are key elements to their graduate training programme. Thank you to Mr Hamilton and everyone at Ysgol Sychdyn for giving us the opportunity.”
Redrow’s graduates have also thanked the following companies for their generous contributions to the project:
- Landstruction – Fencing materials plus a member of staff for four days
- Ecofficiency – Two skips
- Lex – Van hire
- Jewson – Two sheds, paint brushes, brooms, timber and ply sheets
- CW Landscapes – Plants
- Dandy’s – Discounted mulch, sand, compost and topsoil
- Crown Paints – 10 tins of paint
- Idverde – Poddley play equipment and two volunteers
- Think BDW – Printed banners
- REXEL – Printed t-shirts
- RED Studio (Aylesworth Fleming Oliver Agency) – Design of posters, t-shirts and banners
- James Jones and Sons – Mud kitchen, two planters and sleepers
- The Redrow team at Kings Moat Garden Village in Chester
Our graduate community programme is well-established and, each year, a new project is chosen.
We offer graduate training programmes, apprenticeships and other vocational training.
To find out more about training opportunities visit Redrow Careers.
