Elkins Construction transforms children’s centre in Greenwich

Elkins Construction is pleased to have recently completed a social value initiative, renovating a garden at a children’s centre in Greenwich, as part of its commitment to improving green spaces across the borough under the Greenwich Builds contract.

The project was carried out in partnership with Durkan Homes and Blakeney Leigh, fellow contractors working with Royal Borough of Greenwich to build new council homes for people on Greenwich’s housing register. Elkins and Durkan Homes donated £8,700 each, with Blakeney Leigh donating the remaining £3,800 to cover the cost of the garden’s features.

Following a consultation with the centre’s staff, the Elkins team drew up the designs and costs for the initiative and appointed one of its approved suppliers to deliver the works. These included repaving and cutting back of overgrown trees, and new features, such as raised beds for plants, herbs and fruit trees, a covered seating area, storage shed, trampoline and boxing bag.

The garden was completed in January 2025, with Councillor Majid Rahman, Cabinet Member for Planning, Estate Renewal and Development, in attendance to meet the staff and contractors. He said: “These three contractors have collaborated with centre and council staff to create a wonderful new space, improving the day-to-day experience of the young people living in this centre, enabling them to learn new skills like gardening that will help them throughout their lives,”

Elkins’ Social Value Manager, Ayesha Wright, said: “It’s been fantastic to be involved in such an important project. We’re delighted to see the results of the new garden, which will make a huge difference to the lives of the current and future young people at the centre for many years to come. This project highlights the many benefits of contractors working together to deliver maximum social value to local communities.”