A dozen community groups in Sandwell have benefited from more than £50,000 worth of improved facilities between them thanks to the generosity of the four companies refurbishing thousands of council homes in Sandwell.
The Hands-on Help scheme has seen Sandwell Council’s four construction partners – Keepmoat, Lovell, Vinci Facilities, and Wates Living Space and their suppliers - working on three projects each over the last 12 months.
The firms donated 1,350 hours of free labour along with a host of materials and their building expertise to benefit the thousands of people who attend the hundreds of activities, clubs and social events hosted by the community groups every week.
Groups were invited to bid for help through the scheme and work carried out included repairing a leaky roof, redecorating tired community halls, refurbishing out-dated kitchens and replacing old toilets.
One of the successful bidders was The Church of the Good Shepherd with St John, in West Bromwich which benefited from a brand new kitchen in their church hall.
The transformation included taking out the old kitchen, upgrading electrics, painting the walls, ceiling and woodwork as well as pressure washing the floor. As well as supplying and fitting the new kitchen, Lovell, who carried out the work also donated a new electric cooker.
Hazel Bloxham, church warden, said: “Our church hall provides a venue for many local clubs and activity groups.
“The kitchen’s previously poor condition was making it difficult to prepare food safely and stopping the wider community from attending activities here.
“We are extremely grateful for everything that has been done and the new kitchen is so much more practical and attractive for people to use.”
Another beneficiary was the 291 Community Association at Wesley Methodist Church, also in West Bromwich which has benefited from new toilet facilities
Derek Percival of the association, said: “Our original building dates back to the 1930s and the toilets were last refurbished in 1972 – and you could tell.
“We are absolutely delighted with the installation of a disabled toilet and nappy-changing facility. We can now better serve our users and attract more bookings for the building."
