Corporate Partners gave an impressive total of 1650 hours hands on volunteering to improve conditions for charities during 2009.  Budgets for our charitable organisations rarely stretch to cover garden maintenance and improvements so volunteers at our Corporate Connects make a meaningful contribution to the welfare and wellbeing of those experiencing hardship.  In real terms it means the organisations can channel scarce funds to direct services for clients.

---

 

BABI (Bayside Adolescent and Youth Services) were thrilled with the energetic team from Fuji Xerox who completed a garden makeover, paved a patio and built a screening fence.  It took some backbreaking work but great results were achieved in record time.

---

 

Not just a walk in the park.  Volunteers from ING donned boots and jerseys for an afternoon of serious Soccer training with The Big Issue Street Soccer Team.  After the game the teams relaxed and enjoyed a BBQ with time to socialise in the delightful setting of New Farm Park.   Street Soccer is a new approach to alleviate the plight of disadvantaged and homeless persons. The program uses physical activity, in the form of organised sport, as a catalyst for transforming lives by reconnecting homeless with the community and providing a real sense of purpose and belonging. Most critically, it gives a great boost in self-esteem and a vision for a brighter future.  Players stay fit and healthy, make friends, and build rapport with team mates. The advantages and outcomes can't be ignored or under-estimated. "They are using it to change their life…" says the Big Issue coach.

---

 

An energetic and enthusiastic team from Mantra on the Gold Coast got to work transforming an unsightly concrete shell, formerly a disused garage and storage room.   Thanks to the hard work of the Mantra team the area is now a recreation area, gym and craft room for use by guests of FSG’s Yandelora Resort at Mudgeeraba.  Yandelora is a holiday and respite facility for people with disabilities and high support needs being cared for at home by parents who are over 65 years of age. 

---

 

MontroseAccess on the Gold Coast were delighted when Commonwealth Bank volunteers arrived armed with gardening tools and gloves to tackle a seriously overgrown garden area. Beautification of gardens at MontroseAccess at Arundel on the Gold Coast is the first stage in creating an accessible garden for children with physical disabilities. The area will be used for recreation, reflection and training in wheelchair and mobility skills. The Arundel office services over 80 children, providing therapy and recreation services.

---

 

It was all hands on deck as the team from Colliers on the Gold Coast set about establishing outdoor recreation areas at FSG Australia’s Yandelora holiday and respite complex.  The team created a serenity garden to be used by adults with a disability for quiet contemplation, reading and enjoying the outdoors. The team then moved on to paving around the raised veggie and herb beds to give wheelchair access plus  a professionally finished look to the gardens. One team member commented that “…..the day was extremely fulfilling and rewarding both personally and community minded.”

---

 

Bupa’s Back Yard Blitz absolutely transformed the new home for Brisbane Youth Service’s Parents Yes Program by creating an edible garden.  Families using this facility are homeless or at risk of homelessness and the program provides support to develop life skills and effective parenting.   Produce  grown in the garden by the parents and children will be used in cooking and nutrition classes, followed by sharing the meal they have prepared.

---

 

The enthusiastic Fuji Xerox team headed for the base of Mt Tambourine for more than a just a pleasant day in the country.  They undertook a Back Yard Blitz on a grand scale, cleaning and clearing the Youth Enterprise Trust’s rural property.  Paddocks were cleaned up, new garden beds created and wheel barrow loads of topsoil spread in preparation for planting. The outcome was a greatly improved environment for young people facing challenges.