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Midlands Trainee Challenge 2026
Raising funds for The Elm Foundation
For this year's Trainee Challenge, I have chosen to support The Elm Foundation, which provides domestic abuse support services to anyone in the community who needs support, irrespective of a person’s age, sex, ethnicity, disability, gender identity or immigration status.
We are raising money to complete renovations at one of their refuges, which needs work in the garden and communal areas, with the aim of finishing this summer. Your donation will help us to provide the residents and their families with a restorative space for people to recover and a safe area for children to play.
Scope of works to include -
- Changing of the grass to Astro turf
- Painting of fences, removing overgrowth, and gardening
- New play equipment and seating area
- Freshening up of the communal areas inside
Impact of the challenge
These refuges provide a vital, secure, and safe space for those who are fleeing domestic abuse. The survivors who use them deserve to come to a place that feels welcoming, homely, and safe.
The residents say -
"It’s just nice, y’know? Being out here with the others, having a cuppa together. For a moment, things are calm. We all need that."
"I miss my garden at home, I didn’t realise how much I missed just being outside, it’s peaceful. It would be good to have a quiet more colourful garden, the space you are in is so important to making you feel like you belong somewhere."
If you would like to volunteer or donate goods, please send me an email at emma.jones@willmottdixon.co.uk
As part of its social and community investment programme, Willmott Dixon wants to back the personal causes of the people who work for the Company. A contribution will therefore be made to The Elm Foundation, from The Peter Willmott Foundation, for every donation made through this Just Giving site. Please be assured that your contribution to my fundraising will reach my chosen charity.