Avove supports community initiative at Veterans Launchpad’s Hollyacre House
Avove supports veterans with local community initiative
Together, we are committed to supporting the Armed Forces community, which is why we not only support the careers of Armed Forces veterans and reserves but also look to support those who have served in the Armed Forces within our local community.
To honour this commitment, our surveyors proudly participated in a community initiative dedicated to supporting army veterans, delivering hands-on support to create a more welcoming environment for those who have served in the military.
Maintaining gardens and meaningful conversations
Located in County Durham, Hollyacre House supports veterans through the provision of much-needed accommodation. It is managed by award-winning charity, Veterans Launchpad, who currently help 98 veterans across three different locations, with plans to expand this support moving forward.
The charity alerted our team of surveyors to a landscaping project at Hollyacre House, where they required help maintaining the gardens, transforming a previously neglected landscaping project into a thriving space for residents to enjoy. Eager to support, our team rolled up their sleeves and got to work, tackling flowerbeds, clearing over 18 sacks of material to restore the area’s beauty.
Throughout the day, volunteers worked alongside some of the residents, taking the time to have meaningful conversations that involved veterans sharing past stories and experiences with the team. Beyond the physical work, organisers at Veterans Launchpad welcomed our colleagues with refreshments and words of gratitude, nurturing a strong community feel throughout the day.
Volunteers embraced the opportunity to collaborate in person, strengthening bonds through shared dedication, yet another display of our company-wide commitment to supporting the areas in which we actively work and live!
Team bonding, community engagement and personal fulfilment
Allan Winter, Arboricultural Surveyor at Avove, said:
“It was a very productive and satisfying day, and as an ex-member of the forces, I found it rewarding to meet and interact with the residents and talk about their experiences. Hollyacre is a fantastic place for veterans in need of support, so it was a pleasure to make their outdoor area more aesthetically pleasing, and great to see some of the residents helping with the work too.”Nathan Smith, Arboricultural Surveyor at Avove, commented:
“The experience was incredibly rewarding, both in terms of the work carried out and the connections made. Whilst it was physical and demanding, everyone worked together seamlessly, sharing the workload and having a good laugh along the way.“The people running Veterans Launchpad, as well as the residents, all welcomed us warmly and we were looked after throughout the day with plenty of food and drinks. One of the highlights was having an opportunity to speak with the veterans and hear their stories, conversations that were both inspiring and humbling. Overall, it was a fantastic experience, great for team bonding, community engagement and personal fulfilment and I’m very grateful for the opportunity.”
Our ongoing support of Armed Forces veterans
We currently employ numerous former service members across a wide range of roles, and our Trainee Arborist Programme has been a standout initiative for ex-forces colleagues, providing a strong foundation and clear pathway for career progression.
Well done to all those who took part in the Hollyacre House community day – a fitting initiative given our dedication to supporting ex-forces personnel.