Lund House: transforming a garden space for Hyde residents

At Sureserve Compliance Fire, we are committed to creating lasting social value within the communities we serve. Through partnerships with housing associations and community organisations, we support projects that improve wellbeing, encourage community engagement and create positive outcomes to residents.

Through the Hyde Housing Match My Project platform, we identified an opportunity to support residents at Lund House by improving their communal garden and outdoor space.

Working closely with residents, we helped transform an underused outdoor area into a valuable community asset.

In May, six volunteers from Sureserve Compliance Fire dedicated a total of 24 volunteering hours to clearing and revitalising the communal garden. During the project, the team:

• Removed seven tree trunks
• Cleared and weeded the entire garden area
• Prepared the space for fruit and vegetable growing 

Residents explained that they wanted to grow their own produce to support a more sustainable lifestyle and to use fresh ingredients during their weekly communal dinners.

Following the success of the initial project, residents identified additional requirements through Match My Project. In response, Sureserve Compliance Fire provided:

• Outdoor storage for gardening equipment
• A hose for watering plants and crops
• Outdoor seating to encourage social interaction and community gatherings 

These items were delivered in person, providing an opportunity to see the incredible progress residents had made with the garden.

The Impact 

The improvements have created a space that residents actively use and maintain every day. What was once an overgrown area has become a thriving communal garden that brings people together and encourages positive wellbeing.

The project has provided residents with opportunities to:

• Grow their own fruit and vegetables
• Spend time outdoors in a shared environment
• Build stronger relationships with neighbours’
• Improve physical and mental wellbeing
• Develop a greater sense of pride in their community

The addition of outdoor seating has enabled residents to enjoy the space socially, including hosting barbecues and community gatherings.

The Outcome

The transformation of the communal garden has had a lasting impact on the residents of Lund House. The space has become a focal point for community engagement, encouraging residents to connect, collaborate and take pride in their surroundings.

As a result of the gardens’ success, residents are now preparing to enter a community garden event next year, demonstrating their commitment to maintaining and developing the space further.

This project highlights how targeted social value can create meaningful and lasting benefits by improving wellbeing, fostering inclusion and strengthening community spirit.