Axis Refurbish a Community Centre

Over the last three months Larry Almeida, Divisional Contracts Manager, has managed and co-ordinated ‘Birchmere Good Life Garden’, a volunteering project in Thamesmead.

Axis were approached by Trust Thamesmead last year, one of the charitable arms of Peabody, asking if they would be willing to refurbish the building which was derelict at the time. Larry was appointed project manager and successfully acquired free materials, resources and labour from a variety of local businesses and organisations that helped to complete the transformation.

In addition to this Hannah Shiells, Creative Designer, helped Larry to co-ordinate Axis employees from our Retail and R&M divisions, who used their volunteering days to help paint and clean the inside of the building. Larry explained: “We had 2 to 3 volunteers helping out each day. It took two full days to wash the building down before we could start painting. Some people had no experience of painting but they still had a go – it was a great effort from everyone!”

Now that the works are complete the newly refurbished building space will be used by a range of organisations including:

• Men In Sheds, a project that supports older men who want to get together, share and learn new skills
• The Good Life Garden Group, who use the garden as an allotment space
• The Archway Project, a young peoples charity who will use the building for NVQ courses in Horticulture
• The Waterways Children Centre, a parent and toddler group

Richard Fishlock, Head of Business Development at Trust Thamesmead said:

Axis have been fantastic and we’re very grateful for all the work that has been done. The building has been closed for the last 7 years now and it can finally be re-opened and used as a very valuable community space

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