Barratt David Wilson Homes offers each of its employees the opportunity to take two paid days of leave a year, specifically dedicated towards volunteering within the community. This year, there has been an 168% increase in staff making use of this opportunity at the housebuilder’s Kent division – with a total of 193 volunteering days taken by staff from March 2024 to March 2025. That’s approximately 1544 hours dedicated to charity – enough time to make 10 return journeys to the moon.
Rather than space travel however, Barratt David Wilson Kent’s staff chose to dedicate their hours closer to home. Last August, the team participated in a full week of volunteering at two local organisations in and around Maidstone, 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, the team 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 Communigrow as part of its outreach programme for children to learn how to grow vegetables.
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.
Natalie Perry, Director of Sales & Marketing Director at Barratt David Wilson Kent commented: “We believe that investing in a local area should go beyond the money; investing is about forming meaningful and lasting relationships within the community. Looking at the team’s tremendous commitment towards local volunteering efforts this year, it looks as though this opinion is shared throughout our division! The uptake of our volunteering days is a testament our shared ethos. By investing our time, care and resources, we should all feel empowered to build community together.”
Volunteers’ Week, which starts on the first Monday in June each year, celebrates the amazing contributions volunteers make to communities across the UK. It’s a chance to recognise, celebrate and thank the UK’s incredible volunteers for all they contribute to our local communities, the voluntary sector, and society.
Barratt David Wilson Homes Kent is currently building a selection of homes throughout Kent including in Deal, Sittingbourne and Minster. Available at its Applegate Park, Roman Walk and Sholden Meadows developments are a range of three- and four-bedroom homes, with prices starting from £421,995 for a three-bedroom home at Applegate Park.
For more information on the homes currently available in Kent, visit www.barratthomes.co.uk or www.dwh.co.uk.
[1] https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/space-science/how-long-does-take-get-moon
