An old darkened facility at our Community offices in Selby has been given a complete changing room facelift following support from Barratts the Builders and Selby Hands of Hope.
The room which had black walls throughout and had last been used by a dance group for rehearsals has been transformed into a fantastic community café facility which will be available to many local community groups in Selby. The venture was the vision of Gill Barker, Service Manager at Selby who saw the potential for the room’s transformation. All that was needed was the support of people prepared to give up their time and money to make it happen. Thanks to the Selby Hands of Hope who saw the potential for the facility and Barratt Homes Yorkshire East and David Wilson Homes Yorkshire East (trading names of BDW Trading Ltd) who contributed in the region of £20,000 worth of refurbishment and equipment. The gem of an idea came to fruition with an official opening on 6th May 2010. The official opening was conducted by Tommy Cannon (of Cannon and Ball), a member of the Selby Hands of Hope Church.
Tommy paid tribute to many of Barratt’s staff and sub contractors who gave their time to complete the changes in a record 9 days. The finished product was kept secret from all other eyes in true changing room style up until the last minute. A number of young carers from Selby who will be a priority for using the new facility for their group attended the opening and didn’t want to leave!
Other local community groups including adult carers and people with learning disability are already booked in to use the facility. The community café comprises a lovely café bar, a mixture of soft furnishings and tables/chairs; the latest HD flatscreen television built into a wall; music facilities as well as fully disabled access. The décor is bright and attractive and a mural of Selby Cathedral adds a touch of class.
The room will be open in the next few weeks to the local community and local authority commissioners to come and have a look round and events will be running throughout carers week 14th – 20th June.
Richard Pick, Chief Executive of the Trust who spoke at the opening thanked all those from Barratts and the Selby Hands of Hope for their dedication and commitment in making the dream a reality.
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