Kent housebuilder, David Wilson Homes, recently demonstrated its outstanding contributions and support to local communities by dedicating a week of volunteering to local organisations close to its The Poppies development on Hermitage Lane in Aylesford, Maidstone.
David Wilson Kent is continuing to make a strong social impact across the county with its recent Economic Footprint 20231 report revealing a £10 million+ investment into local communities through its Section 106 levy, as well as centrally sourcing 90% of components, which are assembled and manufactured throughout the UK, supporting a number of local jobs across the country.
Following the report, David Wilson Homes Kent has furthered its volunteering hours with its recent participation in a full week of volunteering at two local organisations, Archbishop Courtenay School and local sustainable food education charity, Communigrow. The housebuilder set out the aim of improving lives and creating new opportunities for children within education and mental health. During this time, David Wilson Homes Kent assisted in constructing various items needed by these organisations. This included establishing a forest school and pond area for the school and revamping and constructing flower beds for Commingrow as part of its outreach programme for children to learn how to grow vegetables, which the housebuilder has previously supported with a £3000 donation last year.
Also taking part in the volunteering was the following subcontractors; SW Yorke & Sons, Coinford, Buxted, Redfields Landscaping, Signs and Designs, SJM Landscapes, Otford Builders Merchants, Biffa Waste Management, O’Connells Drywall Contractors Ltd and Fineview Landscapes.
Lin Copley, from Archbishop Courtenay School, commented: “Our forest school is integral to our pupils’ learning, and David Wilson Kent has transformed this in preparation for September. With a new forest school and pond area, this will help with teaching about biodiversity, whilst giving pupils the chance to learn outdoors surrounded by nature. Outdoor spaces are so important for young people’s minds, especially with mental health and physical wellbeing, and it’s key we enable them to make the most of these facilities when they return to school in September.”
Sheena Field, Operations Manaager at Communigrow, said: “With the support of David Wilson Kent, we have been able to create three new garden areas that replicate the outdoor space available in new homes. These gardens demonstrate the values of Communigrow – growing chemical free food, working in partnership with nature and harnessing resources from the natural world. Families will be able to learn together how to incorporate the Communigrow essential components into their own growing areas, which will help improve their access to fresh food and encourage children to engage in outdoor activities, improve their diets and make a positive impact to the environment! We know that children that grow vegetables – eat vegetables!”
Natalie Perry, Director of Sales & Marketing Director at David Wilson Kent, comments: “Working with local communities is essential, as it is important we bring investment to areas when building new homes. This weeks’ worth of volunteering at both Communigrow and the Archbishop Courtenay School saw the team involved with building a range of things from flower beds to a forest school. Investing our time into the local communities throughout Kent is one of our biggest commitments to create strong relationships within the local areas – without this we wouldn’t be able to build and provide the homes we do!”
David Wilson Homes (part of Barratt Developments) is currently building The Poppies development in Aylesford and has recently launched phase two. Located just off the M20, residents can reach the buzzing Maidstone town centre in just 12 minutes via car, offering popular shops and restaurants. Residents looking to use their weekends to explore the local area can find lots of attractions nearby, including Kent Life farm, The Maidstone Distillery, Mote Park, Maidstone Museum and Communigrow, where families can take part in workshops. There are also popular coastal towns an hour away, including Hastings and Folkestone, perfect for a fun-filled day out.
Families looking to move to The Poppies will find a number of Ofsted rated ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ schools nearby, including Brookfield Infant School, Archbishop Courtenay Primary School and Lunsford Primary School. Commuters have a range of train stations to choose from, with Barming, Aylesford and East Malling stations all within easy reach of The Poppies, offering regular services into London in around an hour.
David Wilson Kent is currently selling the second phase of homes at The Poppies development in Maidstone, with prices starting from £142,500 for a two-bedroom apartment.