A Warwick property development company have been lending a hand to a local charity to help its move to a new home.
Leamington based Helping Hands Community Project, based in Leamington, needed work to be completed on its former home before being handed back to the landlords and AC Lloyd stepped in to help them do this.
Staff from AC Lloyd, which is headquartered at Tachbrook Park were deployed to the site on Gloucester Street and swiftly set about tidying up the premises, which had been altered during the four-and-a-half-years it had been used by the charity.
Work included structural works, re-plastering of the walls, removing stud walls and putting an old door back in to the storage room.
The charity is in a position to hand back the property to its landlord, and its 60 volunteers have now moved into their new home on Althorpe Street.
Helping Hands Community Project has seen a surge in referrals as a result of the economic impact of coronavirus and the new offices will allow them to increase provision and support more people in the area.
Alice Webber, Operations Manager at Helping Hands Community Project, said: “We knew that we needed some work done on our former premises, so we approached AC Lloyd and they had someone out to help us within a couple of days.
“AC Lloyd has supported us for 3 years and has always been very generous in donating their time, particularly in making sure we are compliant with building regulations, and Health and Safety.
“The backing we get from local business is fantastic and we are always grateful, as it allows us to focus on running our organisation and providing our services to those who desperately need them.
“Our new offices will allow us to accommodate and feed more people, which will be really important in the coming months as the impact of the coronavirus pandemic is realised.
“We would like to thank AC Lloyd for their continued support and for how swiftly they were able to assist us on this project.”
Darren Avern, Technical Director at AC Lloyd Homes, added: “We have been supporting Helping Hands for many years and when they approached us we were happy to be able to help.
“Our team went out to the site to ensure the premises were of a standard to hand back and we’ve said we’re happy to come back free-of-charge if any further changes are needed.
“Helping Hands does incredible work in the area and we’re pleased to be able to support them in doing this in any way we can.”
The Helping Hands Gateway café has now reopened for collection and takeaway. Orders can be taken online here.
The shop has also reopened and is delighted to be welcoming back supported volunteers to help give them a hand up and not just a hand out.
PICTURE CAPTION: Martin Todorov from AC Lloyd carrying out works for Helping Hands Community Project