Helping Sunnyside Trust with Their Latest Project
Osborne has been busy over the last few months supporting the Sunnyside Rural Trust with their latest project.
The Sunnyside Rural Trust is a charity and social enterprise and was established in 1990 as a small, horticultural project for young people and adults with learning disabilities. It is now thriving and offers training and work experience for over 130 vulnerable people in the local community.
Osborne Property Services were asked to support their latest project which consists of the refurbishment of the upper allotments. The facility will coincide with the Trust’s 30th anniversary in 2020 and was the first site the trust started.
The development consists of creating an innovative space for both young people and adults with learning disabilities as well as services for the community. There will be a new stable block and courtyard to house a small number of rescued animals, a farm shop and much more.
The Trust secured a grant of £188,000 to begin with but unfortunately, this only covered the construction part of the project, and so the charity is looking for local businesses to provide help with internal decoration, fixtures and fittings, landscaping and any other materials that might be required. The project was officially launched in July this year, and since then, we have reached out to our supply chain for help and they have been incredible!
Our internal door sub-contractor Shadbolts agreed to provide all internal wood fixings, and we have donated a kitchen to the project, which was surplus stock from our workshop worth £800.
Travis Perkins have donated all sanitary ware to the project worth over £2,000 which was amazing. The donation included disabled toilets allowing more people to use and enjoy the brand new facilities.
Rixonway have donated worktops for the kitchen and shop counter as well.
We have introduced each supplier to the project, and there have been numerous on site meetings, thus bolstering the developing relationships. As part of our commitment to educate young people about the various careers in construction, we also organised 12 students from West Herts College to take part in a tour of the ‘live’ building site, a great experience for all. The students had the opportunity to ask the builder questions relating to the planning process, design aspects, materials as well as general questions about a career in construction. The students are studying a variety of subjects including engineering, maintenance and construction, so the visit will add valued learning.
Sunnyside Rural Trust has said: “Thank you Osborne, you have been amazing so far and thank you for arranging all of the donations. Thank you once again!” – Keely, CEO.
The trust are still looking for donations, so if you would like to contribute to the project, please get in touch with Gemma Vine on 01442 863364 or email [email protected]
