While our corporate volunteering activities tangibly support people with disability, their impact reaches so much further, as one business quickly discovered…

It started as a garden makeover and ended in an experience filled with cherished memories for all involved.

When a team from Brisbane-based Jani-King Facilities Management (JKFM) decided to participate in our Corporate Experiences volunteer program, they could not have imagined the impact it would have – including on themselves.

The activity? Revitalising the garden areas at our Redcliffe Learning and Lifestyle Hub alongside the hub’s fabulous participants.

From the moment the JKFM team arrived, they were welcomed with warm smiles from hub participants and their support staff, as though they were old friends.

The excitement was contagious as the participants proudly showed off their vibrant hub – an important outlet for people with disability to build skills, create connections and increase their independence.

The Redcliffe hub, one of dozens of similar spaces, has a pronounced emphasis on championing creativity. It was immediately obvious.

While some participants built intricate structures from tubes and cardboard, others were deeply engaged in various art projects – all against a backdrop of luminous walls adorned with colourful artwork and photos.

One hub participant, Leah, proudly revealed her carefully decorated heart-shaped box with tiny sparkling gems that she had added one by one. It oozed imagination, dedication and love.

Teamwork with a Bush Turkey

Soon, the mix of JKFM employees, hub participants and staff and Endeavour Foundation Support Centre employees had split into three teams.

One headed to the local Bunnings to select plants, while the other two remained onsite to assemble five double-sided, waist-high planter boxes. The raised planter boxes were chosen so everyone could be involved in gardening comfortably and accessibly.

Hub participants were quick to embrace the occasion. Tony quickly claimed his role as DJ for the day, and what a soundtrack he provided. His ‘80s hits had everyone humming, laughing and working in rhythm.

Meanwhile, Richard and Anthony were zooming around with wheelbarrows, delivering soil and stones, and David got on the tools to help with construction.

There was another guest that had made an impact: the hub’s resident bush turkey. It had been busily building a nest overnight, creating quite the mountain of leaves and garden waste.

Transformation Takes Shape

After a well-earned lunch break, everyone was back at it. The afternoon was a flurry of activity as borders were cleared, the rosemary bush was given room to flourish, the entrance was weeded and the driveway drains were cleaned to prevent flooding.

One of the day’s most poignant moments was the creation of a memorial garden. Two Grevillea Honey Gems were planted in memory of a much-loved friend and hub participant who had recently passed away.

The idea of creating a garden came collectively from the hub’s participants, who wanted a special place to remember their friend. One hub regular, Fred, also handcrafted a beautiful cross at the local Men’s Shed to honour their friend’s memory.

Embracing the Moment and Accepting Change

As the afternoon sun started to dip, the group returned inside – hot, happy and more than a little tired – to thank the JKFM team for their generosity, effort and kindness.

The most telling gratitude came from the hub participants themselves. Anna, Scott, David and Tony eagerly raised their hands to speak in front of the group. Their words were genuine and heartfelt.

One of the hub’s support workers, Pramod, shared how incredible it was to see Scott stand up and speak to the group – something he doesn’t often do.

The experience had not only given Scott a confidence boost – it also showed him that even though the day was different from routine, it was still very enjoyable.

It was a feeling shared by the JKFM team.

“We all had a thoroughly fulfilling day and were very grateful for the shared experience with the Redcliffe team,” JKFM General Manager Jarrod Keogh said.

“I’m sure that it won’t be forgotten.”

 The Importance of Corporate Experiences

The garden may be brighter now, but the real growth was in the bonds built that day.

Our Corporate Experiences matter because they forge genuine connections, bring unique skills to projects and lay the groundwork for a more inclusive, compassionate society.

When businesses, staff and clients collaborate on meaningful causes, hearts and minds open. Together, we help shape a world where everyone thrives.

Thank you, JKFM, for your time, spirit and kindness.

Ready to Make a Difference?

Join us in creating lasting change by participating in your own Corporate Experience.

Together, we can grow connections, empower people with disability and build a future where everyone blossoms.

Take the First Step