Community · Swindon
Swindon landscapers bring DIY SOS lessons home to support local family
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
A Swindon-based landscaping firm has shared how their work on the BBC programme DIY SOS inspired a significant community-led garden transformation for a local family.
A Swindon landscaping company has provided a behind-the-scenes look at their involvement in the long-running BBC series DIY SOS , revealing how the experience led to a lasting impact closer to home. Wilson Landscapes, based near the A420, joined hundreds of volunteers and tradespeople to support a major home renovation in Southampton for a deaf couple and their three young children.
The project, which spanned eight days of intensive work, focused on transforming a property left in a precarious state by a previous builder into a practical and accessible family home. Nathan Wilson, founder of the landscaping firm, was part of the team that designed the garden, including an innovative access point for a slide connecting the terrace to the lower garden to ensure the space remained fun for the children.
Reflecting on the experience, Mr Wilson said: "For us, this was about so much more than building a garden. We were there throughout the full build, working alongside an unbelievable team of tradespeople, volunteers and businesses who all gave their time, skills and materials for one reason: to give this family a fresh start."
The emotional weight of the project and the spirit of the community effort left a lasting impression on the Swindon team. Inspired by the show, Wilson Landscapes decided to mark their own milestone—the first anniversary of their local showroom—by launching a similar charitable project within their home community. This effort saw the team transform a garden in Liden to improve accessibility and enjoyment for a young girl named Ada, who lives with a rare form of leukodystrophy.
Mr Wilson noted that the DIY SOS experience remains a career highlight due to the sense of purpose it fostered. "Watching the programme brought back so many memories from that week—the pressure, the long days, the teamwork, the laughter, the emotion and finally seeing everything come together," he said.
The episode featuring the Southampton project was broadcast recently and remains available for viewing via BBC iPlayer. The company, which has been supporting DIY SOS projects since 2021, indicated that they have participated in further work for the series which may feature in future episodes.
Source: Swindon Advertiser - Lifestyle · View original