Casey and Bideford Community Centre bring a tribute to life
Thanks to a great bit of teamwork, a garden makeover is underway at Bideford Community Centre – and it’s all about celebrating the life of a much-loved volunteer.
Earlier this year, during our Community Connector event hosted at Bideford Community Centre, Shannon Fitzgerald, our Lead Community Development Coordinator, had a chat with Kirsty Taylor, a volunteer who runs the centre. Kirsty mentioned she’d love to improve the outdoor space to celebrate the life and legacy of Gary, a long-standing volunteer who sadly passed away in January.
That moment planted the seed for something bigger. Shannon spoke with our contractor, The Casey Group Ltd., to see if they could help through our Social Value offer. Thanks to a visit from John Walmsley, our Social Impact Executive, Kirsty and the Casey team were able to look at the garden and scope out what was possible.
And they didn’t just say yes – they were genuinely excited to get stuck in, having seen the amazing things the centre delivers for the community. The work is now underway: the space has already been cleared and Casey will be back soon to put up some pergolas and really bring it to life.
Kirsty has been sharing the journey on her Facebook page under the project name ‘Gary’s Legacy’ – and it’s clear this is more than just a garden. It’s a tribute, a partnership, and a perfect example of how we make social value work in real life: helping our communities thrive while making the most of every pound we spend.
Kirsty said: “If I had to describe Casey's in one word, it would have to be outstanding! I’ve been in the community for around 15 years and never met a company who goes to the lengths these guys do to make your dreams a reality. They don't just build houses they build communities.
“This team have taken our project to their heart, and every time Pauline, Gary's mum, hands over a cuppa or sandwich, she will know her boy’s legacy lives on in our community. Casey are the Walt Disney of Wythenshawe they really do make dreams come true.”
John shared: “At Casey, our purpose is Improving Lives, and that extends far beyond construction. We’re proud to be working in partnership with Bideford Community Centre, transforming a piece of their land into a space that the whole community can enjoy. The centre does fantastic work providing vital support and opportunities for local people, and it’s inspiring to see the difference they make every day.
“In particular, Kirsty’s passion and commitment are a true inspiration, and her drive embodies exactly why we want to give back and help create lasting social value. Together, we’re not just improving spaces, but supporting the people who make communities thrive.”
Shannon added: “A huge thank you to Casey, to Kirsty for her passion, and to everyone involved for bringing this idea to life. We’re proud to support projects that do good, feel good, and bring lasting value to the people and places that matter most.”
Want to get involved in any future community development? Get in touch with our Community Development team by emailing communitydevelopment@wchg.org.uk.
