Leeds: Caddick Revamps Cross Green Garden

Key Points

• Caddick Construction completed a major volunteer initiative to revamp Cross Green Growing Together, a vital community charity in Leeds.
• The project spanned two days, with the team contributing 90 volunteer hours.
• Transformations included safer, more accessible pathways to ensure the garden can be enjoyed by all residents and visitors for years to come.
• The volunteer group comprised the Caddick site team, three apprentices from the SOYO Block D development, and supply chain partners from Northfield Construction, Keyline Civils Specialists, and James Burrell Builders Merchant.
• The SOYO project, upon completion, will provide 291 student bedrooms, a gym, rooftop terrace, and study spaces.
• Cross Green Growing Together offers opportunities for gardening, social activities, learning, and wellbeing programmes, aimed at reducing isolation, improving health, and strengthening community connections.
• Steve Ford, regional managing director at Caddick Construction, emphasised the initiative’s alignment with the company’s ESG Strategy, Places for Life.

Leeds (The Leeds Times) February 3, 2026 – Caddick Construction has completed a significant volunteer effort to rejuvenate Cross Green Growing Together, a cherished community garden in Leeds, enhancing its accessibility and safety for all users. Over two intensive days, volunteers logged 90 hours of work, installing improved pathways that promise long-term enjoyment for residents and visitors alike. This initiative underscores a commitment to local wellbeing amid ongoing urban development in the area.

What Triggered the Community Garden Makeover?

The revamp of Cross Green Growing Together stems from Caddick Construction’s dedication to corporate social responsibility, particularly through its ESG Strategy known as Places for Life. As reported in the initial coverage by the Leeds Times news desk, the project targeted a key community asset in the Cross Green neighbourhood, addressing longstanding accessibility issues.

The garden, run by the charity Cross Green Growing Together, has long served as a hub for local engagement, but its pathways required urgent modernisation to accommodate diverse users, including those with mobility challenges.

Volunteers transformed the space with durable, safer walkways, ensuring the site remains a vibrant resource. This effort not only beautifies the area but also aligns with broader goals of fostering inclusive public spaces in Leeds.

Who Participated in the Volunteer Initiative?

The volunteer cohort was a collaborative mix of Caddick Construction’s site team, three apprentices from the nearby SOYO Block D development, and representatives from supply chain partners Northfield Construction, Keyline Civils Specialists, and James Burrell Builders Merchant. According to details from the Leeds Times report, this diverse group pooled expertise in construction and civils to execute the makeover efficiently over the two-day period.

The inclusion of apprentices highlights Caddick’s investment in youth development, blending hands-on experience with community service. Supply chain partners brought specialised materials and skills, amplifying the project’s impact without additional costs to the charity.

What is the SOYO Block D Development?

The SOYO project, central to the volunteers’ origin, represents a major student accommodation venture in Leeds. Upon completion, it will deliver 291 modern bedrooms alongside amenities such as a gym, rooftop terrace, and dedicated study spaces. As noted in supplementary coverage by the Yorkshire Evening Post, the development aims to cater to the city’s growing student population while integrating with local community needs.

This connection between the SOYO site team and the garden revamp illustrates how large-scale projects can yield ripple effects for neighbourhoods. The apprentices’ involvement ensures skills transfer, preparing the next generation for roles in sustainable construction.

How Does Cross Green Growing Together Benefit the Community?

Cross Green Growing Together stands as a cornerstone for social and health initiatives in Leeds. The charity provides structured opportunities in gardening, social activities, learning sessions, and wellbeing programmes, directly tackling isolation among residents.

These offerings have proven effective in improving physical health, mental wellbeing, and community ties, particularly in an urban setting where green spaces are at a premium.

By enhancing accessibility, the makeover ensures broader participation, from elderly visitors to families and young learners. Local reports emphasise how such spaces counteract the loneliness epidemic, offering therapeutic outlets amid fast-paced city life.

What Did Steve Ford Say About the Project?

Steve Ford, regional managing director at Caddick Construction, provided key insights into the initiative’s significance. As reported by the Leeds Times, Ford stated:

“Giving back to local communities is central to our ESG Strategy, Places for Life. Cross Green Growing Together is at the heart of the community, and our work will make the garden safer and more accessible for everyone.”​

Ford’s comments, echoed in Yorkshire Post follow-ups, frame the effort as more than a one-off event, positioning it within Caddick’s long-term commitment to environmental, social, and governance principles. His emphasis on “Places for Life” signals ongoing support for community assets.

Why Was 90 Volunteer Hours Invested Over Two Days?

The concentrated two-day timeline maximised efficiency, allowing for swift completion without disrupting the garden’s regular use. Caddick Construction’s team coordinated meticulously, leveraging 90 volunteer hours to install pathways that meet modern safety standards. Coverage from the Leeds Times details how this approach minimised disruption while delivering immediate benefits.

This model of intensive, short-term volunteering proves scalable for other firms, balancing business operations with philanthropy. The hours reflect not just labour but a collective enthusiasm for local impact.

What Role Do Supply Chain Partners Play in Community Efforts?

Partners Northfield Construction, Keyline Civils Specialists, and James Burrell Builders Merchant contributed materials, expertise, and manpower, extending the initiative’s reach. As per the original Leeds Times article, their involvement strengthened the pathways’ durability, using specialist civils knowledge for resilient surfacing.

Such partnerships exemplify industry-wide collaboration, where suppliers align with ESG goals. This synergy reduces costs and fosters goodwill across Leeds’ construction sector.

How Does This Fit Caddick’s ESG Strategy?

Caddick’s Places for Life strategy prioritises community enhancement as a core pillar. The garden project embodies this by creating enduring public spaces. Steve Ford’s attribution in the Leeds Times underscores how such actions integrate with business objectives, enhancing corporate reputation while delivering tangible social value.

Broader media, including the Yorkshire Evening Post, note similar Caddick initiatives, suggesting a pattern of proactive engagement in Leeds developments.

What Future Impact Will the Revamped Garden Have?

The safer pathways ensure Cross Green Growing Together remains viable for years, accommodating increased footfall from wellbeing programmes. Residents can now access gardening plots, social events, and learning without barriers, potentially boosting participation rates.

The Leeds Times highlights expectations of reduced isolation and heightened community cohesion.

This makeover sets a precedent for urban greening, inspiring similar projects amid Leeds’ expansion. It reaffirms the garden’s role in health improvement, aligning with national wellbeing agendas.

Who Leads Cross Green Growing Together Charity?

While specific leadership names were not detailed in primary reports, the charity’s operations centre on volunteer-driven programmes. The Leeds Times coverage portrays it as a grassroots organisation embedded in Cross Green, reliant on partnerships like Caddick’s for sustainability. Ongoing management focuses on expanding outreach to combat urban isolation.

Why Focus on Accessibility in Community Gardens?

Accessibility upgrades address inclusivity gaps, enabling wheelchair users, the elderly, and families with prams to engage fully. The project’s pathways incorporate gentle gradients and non-slip surfaces, per construction standards cited in reports. This responds to Leeds’ diverse demographics, promoting equity in public spaces.

How Can Other Firms Replicate This Initiative?

Caddick’s model—mobilising site teams, apprentices, and partners—offers a blueprint. Firms can adopt Places for Life-style strategies, targeting local charities with defined needs. The two-day format suits busy schedules, yielding high-impact results with measurable volunteer hours.

Media across Yorkshire praise this as replicable, urging sector-wide adoption for community resilience.

In a city balancing growth and heritage, this revamp exemplifies constructive corporate-citizen synergy. Cross Green Growing Together emerges stronger, ready to nurture Leeds for generations.