‘I just want my disabled daughter to have a safe garden to play in’

A woman in Bristol says her back garden is too unsafe for her disabled daughter to use – less than a year after it was transformed thanks to a community fundraiser.

In August last year, Bristol24/7 revealed how Liz Griffin’s “dangerous” garden had been turned into a “playground paradise” for her daughter Storm, who has Down’s syndrome.

Nick Haskins, a family friend of Liz’s, crowdfunded more than £1,300 to transform the overgrown space, and did most of the work on it.

But now, just eight months later, Liz says her garden in Knowle West has fallen into disrepair, and that eight-year-old Storm is housebound because of the condition of it.

Liz Griffin says her back garden in Knowle West has become “unsafe” – less than a year after it was transformed – photo: Charlie Watts

The work Nick did to the garden included replacing fencing and putting in decking. He also bought a new slide, trampoline and Wendy house for it.

But Liz says the fence was not put up properly, and that weeds are coming through the decking.

The mum-of-ten also says the slide has screws missing from it, the trampoline is broken, and that the Wendy house is too small for Storm.

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Read more: Knowle West girl’s garden transformed after community appeal

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“It was lovely when it was done and I enjoyed it. It’s just a shame it’s gone like this,” said Liz, speaking from her garden in Creswicke Road.

“I can’t let Storm come out here because it’s not safe for her. I just want someone to mend it so she can have a nice garden again.

“I’m grateful for what Nick’s done, and I’m not slagging him off, but it needs to be redone.”

Nick, Liz and Storm were all smiles just eight months ago after the garden was given a makeover – photo: Charlie Watts

There is also a pile of rubbish in Liz’s garden, which she says is a lot of what Nick left after he did up the space.

Liz also says she has been unable to speak to Nick since he completed the transformation because he’s cut her off.

Speaking to Bristol24/7, Nick admits he has cut off Liz due to personal reasons, and says he is “gutted she has let the garden go to rack and ruin”.

“I wouldn’t have left it unsafe,” insisted Nick, who has recently stood down as chair of Filwood Residents Association due to unrelated health issues.

Nick Haskins says he is not to blame for the garden’s deterioration – photo: Charlie Watts

The retired landscaper says the fencing was put up professionally, and that he told Liz she would have to use weed killer on the decking.

He also says it was Liz’s family who assembled the slide, the trampoline is still under warranty, and that Liz was “over the moon” with the Wendy house. The rubbish in the garden is hers, he adds.

“I did the job to the best of my ability, and when I left, Liz was happy and thanked me,” continued Nick.

“I cannot be responsible for any of the maintenance she was told to do but has obviously neglected.”

If you are able to help Liz improve her garden, please email charlie@bristol247.com     

Charlie Watts is reporting on Knowle West as part of Bristol24/7’s community reporter scheme, a project which aims to tell stories from areas of Bristol traditionally under-served by the mainstream media

Main photo: Charlie Watts

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