At Look Ahead we see the bigger picture. We understand how anyone can make an impact that ultimately improves the quality of life of the people we support, even if they do not work in services, even if they do not work at Look Ahead at all for that matter!
Whatever your talents or interests are, my advice is never to shy away from using them to benefit others, especially when you’re at work.
I like to think I am living proof of that. I work as Look Ahead’s Information Governance Manager, which is largely based at head office.
However, I have also had the opportunity to spend time as a volunteer beautifying garden spaces at our services for the people we support to enjoy.
Sarah working on the planters at Look Ahead's new specialist young people service Oaklands and St Kilda's.
Gardening is my passion, and I love spending time outdoors. Walking around and sitting in well-maintained gardens with an array of textures, scents and colours can be great for a person’s mental health. So, I determined to make sure as many Look Ahead services as possible can offer this experience to our customers too.
I’m proud to say that between March and October this year alone I have led improvement projects at nine Look Ahead service sites. I’ve achieved this either on my own or with the help of volunteers from our customers and staff, as well as from our corporate partner, the estate agents Avison Young. Other partners have volunteered too, from JTI to Visa, and 1st Stop Property Solutions.
Expertise means excellence
Being interested in a project or activity means you tend to produce better outcomes. When it comes to improving a garden for instance, I like to scope out the site first. I look at the space, and check the soil, and where the sunlight hits. I also see if our customers have any preferences too. All this helps me to gauge which plants are suitable, and will last the longest. Quick fixes don’t work!
Once I know which flowers or shrubs will suit, I source them. If I have a budget from the service or external fundraising, I often get these from a local grower. No budget? No problem! I often split perennials or bring cuttings from my own garden to use instead, I have also hosted open garden events at my home, and in my neighbourhood to raise money as well.
Then comes the weeding – shout out to the volunteers from Avison Young who did a fantastic job removing bags and bags of weeds from our Warwick Road Homelessness Service in West London – and finally, the planting.
Volunteers from Avison Young ready to spruce up the garden at our Warwick Road Homelessness and Complex Needs Service.
Encouraging impact
Sometimes customers get involved with the projects too. I was delighted to have a customer spend an entire day helping me at our Tabard Court Forensic Service in Tower Hamlets. I have since heard from the staff that the customers have become more interested in gardening and want to plant garlic to use while cooking. It’s so encouraging to hear stories like this. Similarly, six months on from my time at Warwick Road, I hear that another customer goes to the garden every time he feels his mental health deteriorating, and that it helps him feel better.
Another personal highlight was completing the raised beds at our brand-new specialist Oaklands and St Kilda’s Service shortly before it opened. They looked spectacular, and I’m so excited that young people with mental health needs can enjoy them during their time with us as the new referrals start to come in.
Tabard Court Mental Health Service Manager Camille joins in with Sarah's Gardening project at the service.
Reflections
Using your interests and talents at work builds bridges across and between organisations. You get the opportunity to work with people that you may never have met otherwise. Better yet, you feel like you are sharing something personal while making a direct contribution to the support a person is offered. I can’t wait for the next project! What might yours be?
If you are interested in supporting projects like these by volunteering your time or in another way, please contact our Fundraising & Partnerships Manager Dipti on DiptiRapte@lookahead.org.uk
