Following some of the wettest months on record, and made possible through generous funding from SES Water, this transformation has turned an overgrown and tired area into a vibrant, creative space. It now provides a place to safely store and season wood, learn practical woodworking skills, build confidence, and take part in meaningful, hands-on activities that support wellbeing.
The four new 12ft x 6ft wood stores were expertly built by Thales. The project required real resilience, patience, and teamwork, demonstrating a strong commitment to community wellbeing and environmental sustainability.
Milly O’Ryan, Assistant Manager, Gateway Community Garden, said:
Thank you to Kristy and the team at SES Water for making this possible with generosity and care. Makers Corner is a place where people of all ages can take pride in, and we are absolutely thrilled with the outcome. We cannot express our gratitude enough! We also could not have created this space without the support of Liz and her incredible team from Thales, who worked tirelessly during a CSR day to clear the site, build the stores, and work alongside our community. Your support is a true example of partnership working in action.
Kristy Poulton, Community Engagement and Events Co-Ordinator at SES Water, said:
We are incredibly proud to support Surrey Care Trust and the Gateway Community Garden. A fantastic illustration of how partnership working can create meaningful, lasting spaces for the community. It’s inspiring to see how the garden continues to support wellbeing, learning, and connection for people of all ages, and we look forward to our next challenge.
Liz De Saulles, EW Academy Lead at Thales, added:
The team were delighted to have supported such a worthwhile project and to work alongside such a dedicated community. Corporate volunteering days are vital in enabling projects like this to grow, creating both immediate impact and long-term social value. We look forward to continuing our support throughout the year – we love it at Gateway!
Surrey Care Trust would also like to thank Connick Tree Care (Reigate) for expertly transporting timber into the garden despite challenging access, and Dorking Paving and Landscaping for their invaluable support during extremely waterlogged conditions.
Through the support of partners such as SES Water and Thales in the UK, projects that might otherwise take months can be delivered in weeks. These partnerships provide not only essential funding and practical support but also build lasting relationships that strengthen community resilience.
Spring has truly arrived at Gateway Community Garden.
For more information about volunteering or CSR days at our Gateway Community Garden, please contact us at [email protected]. We would love to hear from you.
Interested in a Corporate Partnership? Find out more about how you can get involved here.
"I would absolutely recommend making use of volunteering leave. It’s a valuable opportunity to step away from routine work pressures, connect with the wider community, and do something genuinely meaningful."
Supporting local communities through impactful, long-term collaboration with corporate partnerships.
