Pattonair volunteers answer Derby charity’s ‘DIY SOS’ call

Added by Love Business East Midlands | 11 January 2019

UPDATED: 11 January 2019

A team of volunteers from aerospace supply chain specialist Pattonair put their DIY skills to the test by completing a fast-paced transformation of a local charity’s new HQ.

The Derby-based firm took part in the DIY SOS-style challenge for Headway Derby, by helping to renovate its new Brain Injury Hub.

Formed in 1994, Headway Derby supports and provides rehabilitation activities for people with a brain injury. It also provides support, advice and information to carers, families and friends, and works collaboratively with health and social care professionals who may be supporting someone with a brain injury.

It is affiliated to, but separate from, the national charity Headway – The Brain Injury Association.

The 56 volunteers spent two weeks at Headway Derby, in Bateman Street, carrying out a host of works to transform the building and facilities. The charity’s move will allow more people to use its services by expanding and providing a more accessible building.

Following the revamp, the building has a new kitchen, craft room, refurbished offices with furniture donated from Pattonair, and a library area in reception. New signage was fitted outside along with bench seating and planters.

Local organisations donating skills, time, equipment and furniture included Davlyn Construction, Wickes, Bailey’s Floor Care, Nottingham Industrial Cleaners, Derbyshire County Contract Flooring and Ashfield Printing.

April Hunt, Pattonair’s HR Business Partner, said:

“This was a fantastic project for all our staff to get involved in and we are delighted with the results. The team really bought into what we wanted to achieve.

“Headway Derby is an inspirational organisation that does such vital work with local people who have suffered a brain injury and their families. As a local employer, we share its passion for putting something back into our community to help local people and provide our colleagues with the opportunity to do something which benefits the whole city.

“As our official charity for 2018, we felt by renovating the new hub we could end on a high and leave a legacy. We have been very privileged to be able to support Headway Derby to raise funds and awareness of the activities it carries out to provide help and rehabilitation for local people.”

Rebecca Manship, Headway Derby Manager, added:

“We’re delighted with the results of this initiative. Following the DIY-SOS style challenge, the team from Pattonair have really helped to make our project a success.

“Our new hub is now a fantastic building, but it was previously dark and unloved and needed a great deal of vision and TLC to create the environment we wanted. Getting this right for our service users was a big priority for us.

“It’s now an accessible, warm and welcoming centre for the brain injury community across Derby, South Derbyshire and East Staffordshire. It’s the base from which we’ll provide a portfolio of practical support services, through three intentionally complementary themes; Training and Development, Arts and Culture and Health and Wellbeing.

“Services will include therapeutic and creative activities, volunteering opportunities, social events and accredited training and development; all of which will help local people not only come to terms with life after brain injury but contribute greatly to their rehabilitation journey.

“The vision for this new hub is to encourage service users to live progressively more independently and help to improve their whole life prospects.

“Thanks to Pattonair’s fantastic support, we’re now in a much better place to do this and everybody at Headway Derby is thrilled with the results.”

For more information about Pattonair, visit www.pattonair.com. For more information about Headway Derby, visit www.headwayderby.org.   

 

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