A bank of volunteers have stepped in after a fox caused a flap at Seashell Trust’s duck house.
Ten staff from Barclays built a safe home at Griffin Lodge for new feathered friends to replace the lost ducks.
Griffin Lodge is the charity’s residential home that supports and cares for adults with severe learning disabilities, autism and communication difficulties.
The residents already keep chickens. They provide companionship, develop life skills such as caring for others, awareness of time and the need for food and drink and hygiene. Caring for the poultry promotes the self-esteem and confidence. The residents sell chicken eggs and plants and will now offer duck eggs.
Debbie Gittins, the deputy manager of Griffin Lodge, said: “We had an overgrown area that used to house ducks. The volunteers dug over the land and levelled an area for a new house for the ducks. They laid flags to make the area level and safe and cut back all the weeds. The fence was raised so when the new ducks arrive in the new year they will be safe. A duck pond was dug out and oxygenating plants put in so it will be self sufficient.”
As the majority of the residents need constant supervisions due to their individual needs, it would have been impossible for Griffin Lodge staff to have completed the project alone. Barclays supplied all materials and labour which has saved the charity £600.
Carrina Thomas, from Barclays Manchester Contact Centre, said: “This is a fantastic example of our staff working closely with the local community to achieve something we hope will make a real and lasting difference. We strive to strengthen local communities in which we live and work. Barclays staff have been long-term supporters of the Seashell Trust and to see the happiness on the residents’ faces was just amazing.”
Debbie said: “Griffin Lodge staff and residents helped with the work. It is so beneficial for the residents to get a sense of community belonging. The whole group worked tremendously hard. I would like to say a big thank you to Barclays.”