Transforming Haines House: From a simple fundraiser to a lasting outdoor space
This summer, our full-time residential home, Haines House, has undergone an incredible garden transformation designed specifically for its young residents with autism, learning disabilities, and complex health needs.
Thanks to the dedication of our supporters, including Haines House staff who ran marathons, conquered the Yorkshire Three Peaks, and organised bake sale fundraisers, we raised over £24,000 to transform the garden into an accessible, enriching space.
We are thrilled to announce that the garden makeover is now complete! The newly revamped garden was unveiled at a joyful launch party this summer, attended by the staff, family members, and friends who made this project a reality.
Behind the scenes
The journey to this transformation involved over a year of planning and fundraising. The actual makeover took place in May this year and saw hardworking workers removing the old flooring and clearing the area to create a bright and inviting space.
During the renovation, the team prepared the ground for new surfacing, digging holes for a brand-new swing frame. They then outlined the edges with wooden sleepers, laid down colourful artificial grass, and installed a sunken trampoline—all designed to create an engaging environment for our young residents.
The final result!
We are proud of the results and believe that this transformation has created a fun, safe, and engaging area for our young residents to enjoy for years to come.
Lisa Oliver, who works at Haines House said:
“This whole project started out as a small fundraising idea to have a new swing installed in the garden. This turned into a huge project after speaking with the fundraising team and with their advice and support throughout the whole project, we have achieved a beautiful outdoor space for not only the young people we support now, but for all the young people who will call Haines their home in years to come.
The garden is a much loved space by all of our young people, it gives them a place to not only enjoy the new equipment and explore but it also offers them a peaceful place to relax in when the house gets too busy. The garden can now be accessible all year round!. The project wouldn't have been possible without the amazing fundraising team at the Together Trust.”
Charlotte Jordan, fundraiser at the Together Trust said:
“The Fundraising team have been working with Haines House on their incredible garden transformation over the past couple of years and it’s been a complete joy. We’ve worked hard to secure donations from Corporate partners, Trusts & Grants, Community fundraising, and Staff fundraising.
We’re so lucky to have such strong relationships with our local community to bring this vision to a reality. Seeing the dedication shown from staff at Haines House working together to raise around £3000 towards the project themselves has been inspirational and they should be so proud of themselves. It’s so moving to see the garden ready for their young people to enjoy and for them to be able to look at it every day and say ‘we did that!’.”
You can see how you can get involved with fundraising for the Together Trust by visiting: www.togethertrust.org.uk/get-involved