Transforming a garden for a Greenwich family in need

A Greenwich family will be enjoying their newly accessible garden just in time for the long-awaited summer, after a group of partner organisations joined together to transform a tired, inaccessible garden into a safer and more enjoyable space. 

Published: 02/08/2024

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Property repairs and maintenance contractor Axis joined forces with their sub-contractor and housing association Peabody to transform the space for local resident Brenden Robinson. 

Brenden, aged 23, lives with a rare genetic disorder called Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, which affects his mobility. As a wheelchair-user, he needed a larger and safer place to play, with level flooring. 

Brenden’s dad, John, describes his son as a “happy go lucky young man who always has a smile on his face, even on bad days”. Brenden has complex needs that require 24-hour care, seven days a week. He doesn’t like big crowds and gets frustrated when he’s unable to go out in the garden. 

After spotting a crowd funding page, the partners provided a bigger, brighter and safer space where Brenden feels happy and can have fun playing outdoors. Now, Brenden can have fun in the garden with his family or enjoy the peace and quiet by himself.

Axis, through its charitable arm the Axis Foundation, funded and carried out the refurbishment as part of their social value programme. They put in a new fence, using funds contributed by Peabody, and reinstalled better quality paving that is smoother and safer. They also re-turfed the lawn, built planters and filled them with soil and most importantly made the entire space accessible for Brenden’s wheelchair.  

Axis’ sub-contractor M&R, who carried out the works, donated and fitted the shed, giving two additional days’ free labour to the project. And Axis' supplier Global Stones generously donated the paving slabs. 

Peter Varney, Chairman of the Axis Foundation Trustees, said: "This project vividly represents what the Axis Foundation is all about and how it is a force for good. The Foundation believes in giving help where it is really needed, and where it can change a life. Here the Foundation has changed Brendan’s life. 

“The partnership of Axis - operatives, supplier and subcontractor and the Foundation - with Peabody has created a space for this young man and his family to enjoy together now and in the future. We wish the family well.” 

Nicola Barcoe, Partnering Manager at Axis, added: “It was a pleasure working with the Robinson family to create a new outside area for Brenden, which will improve his and his family’s quality of life and hopefully will give years of enjoyment to him and his family. I thoroughly enjoyed project managing these works through to completion and being the main point of contact for the family. 

“I would like to personally thank the Axis foundation for the funding and Peabody for funding fencing works, as well as our contractor M&R who donated a shed and some of the labour to enable Axis to give the family such an open and beautiful space.” 

Elly Hoult, Chief Operating Officer at Peabody, said: “Meeting Brenden and his family in the garden has truly moved me. From what I’ve seen of the pictures of the garden before, I can see that this has been an incredible transformation. Thank you to everyone involved.”

Watch more about the garden transformation.