DIY-SOS
finish a home extension for a disabled young girl as part of a DIY SOS project in Bury. Norris Green Youth Centre started out as an Old Boys’ Club over 50 years ago. Over time, despite providing vital services to young people in the area, the building became in desperate need of repair. In what was the programme’s biggest-ever project at the time, HE Simm worked alongside several local companies in a 10-day build to renovate the dilapidated youth centre in one of the most deprived parts of Liverpool; a project that would normally take around six months to complete and cost in the region of £1 million. “As a local company trading over 60 years we wanted to make a contribution to the community and were delighted to be able to get involved,” says managing director Gareth Simm. “The centre has a long history and it’s great that the refurbishment means many more young people will get the chance to benefit from the potentially lifechanging opportunities it can now offer. We’re really proud of all the staff who worked literally non-stop throughout the project. They really enjoyed getting stuck in and meeting Billy Byrne, Nick Knowles and all the DIY SOS team.” The project in Bury saw dozens of builders, electricians and plumbers working together to adapt a family home and provide accessible facilities for a six-year-old girl called Maddie. HE Simm has overseen the plumbing and heating, joining a raft of other businesses in providing services, supplies and labour free of charge. “We were absolutely delighted to be invited to get involved with this project and to play a small part in making a big difference to Maddie’s quality of life,” says HE Simm supervisor Jimmy Doyle. “She suffers from dystonia and an undiagnosed brain disease. Her family had started renovating their house to make it more accessible, with 30
> Staff of Comserv with members of the DIY SOS team
a downstairs wet room, bedroom and en-suite bathroom for Maddie, who has to use a wheelchair. But, due to unforeseen building costs, and the cost of care and treatment for Maddie, they were unable to complete the renovation, leaving it unfinished. “The project itself took 10 days to complete and there was a great atmosphere throughout,” he adds. “It was a real team effort with up to 80 people on site each day – everyone has pulled together and the reveal was a proud moment both for us and the family. It has been a unique experience working to such a tight deadline and under the glare of the TV cameras,
‘It has been a unique experience working to such a tight deadline and under the glare of the TV cameras, but certainly very worthwhile’
but certainly very worthwhile. The build will allow the family to relax and enjoy their future in the knowledge that Maddie has got the best home care facilities possible.”
Comserv The electrical arm of Hampshire-based social housing repairs and maintenance firm Comserv has helped adapt the home of Hanaagh and Mike Smith and their two young disabled twins Reuben and Zachary. The twins were born prematurely at 29 weeks and Reuben was later diagnosed with quadriplegic cerebral palsy, while Zachary is severely deaf and has had meningitis twice. The DIY SOS team adapted the family home in Whiteley, Hampshire to meet the changing needs of the boys as they grow up. The house was tiny and the cramped conditions were making life extremely difficult and at times dangerous for the growing boys. The build included the completion of a single-storey extension in just nine days and Comserv was responsible for the electrical installation. » Andrew Brister is a freelance journalist, specialising in the electrical industry
Spring 2015 Connections
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02/04/2015 10:14