A total of 12 construction students from New College Durham are working with local community interest company, Trades4Care Project, on a project to make improvements to, and redecorate, Butterwick Hospice in Bishop Auckland.
The 8-week project also includes fitting a new kitchen which has been donated by Magnet Kitchens, and IT training for staff, provided by local business Dolan IT.
Butterwick Hospice at Bishop Auckland provides adults with a life-limiting illness, non-medical, therapeutic support services such as complementary therapy, physiotherapy, group sessions, and counselling. Covering Bishop Auckland, Durham Dales, Sedgefield and surrounding areas, services are free of charge to anyone who has been accepted for care from the Hospice.
Director of Trades4Care Project, Charlie Wright, said; “This project gives the students from New College Durham a chance to put the skills they've learnt at college to good use. By bringing their skills and positive attitude, they are helping a local charity that supports so many people and their families in and around Bishop Auckland. In the first three weeks we've had Jack, Josh, Dylan, Ben, Isaac, and Tyler with us who are on a construction course at New Durham college. They have all been very polite, hardworking and worked really well as part of the team. With their help, we have decorated counselling rooms, physiotherapy area, hairdressing salon corridors, and family support rooms.”
The project (funded by the local AAP and Cllrs Joanne Howey, Sam Zair and Andrew Jackson), has created a lot of interest with both BBC Radio Tees and BBC Look North. Upon completion, all the participants will be invited back together for a light lunch and to meet the Lord-Lieutenant of Durham, Sue Snowdon who will be visiting to see the work the team has carried out for the hospice.
Click here to find out more about our construction courses at New College Durham.