Published on 17th November 2011

Bank staff roll up their sleeves to give communal garden a facelift

“It’s blooming lovely!” that was the verdict from sheltered scheme residents in Dunalley Parade when they saw the fantastic facelift their communal flowerbeds had been given by staff from Barclays Bank.

After being contacted by Cheltenham Borough Homes (CBH), Barclays agreed to fund three community projects and provide volunteers as part of their community scheme called ‘Make a Difference Day (MADD)’.

On Wednesday 16 November volunteers from the Cheltenham branch of Barclays Bank rolled up their sleeves and got to work removing all the old weeds, replanting flowers and replacing gravel at the Dunalley Parade scheme which is managed by CBH .

The first of the three community projects being carried out in the sheltered housing schemes, the work was organised by CBH ’s new specialist Benefits and Money Advisor, Grant Bailey. Since arriving in October Grant has been busy building links with the local organisations as part of his work to help tenants in need of financial advice and support.

Sara Bennett, Head of Neighbourhood Services at CBH said: “It’s important that we build strong relationships with local businesses and so we were delighted when our sheltered schemes were selected by Barclays to benefit from their community project fund. The work Barclays carried out is wonderful and the residents’ reaction shows what a difference it will make to their community”.

CBH ’s dedicated Benefits and Money Advisor can be contacted on 01242 775283 or grant.bailey@cheltborohomes.org

ENDS

Notes for editors

Barclays – Make a Difference Day (MADD)

The Make a Difference Day campaign encourages people to give their time and skills to play an active role in community life by volunteering in hundreds of projects worldwide. Barclays involvement in the campaign started in 2000. 

Cheltenham Borough Homes:

  • CBH is one of the top rated ALMOs (Arms Length Management Organisations) in the country. ALMOs are not for profit companies that run social housing services for their local council
  • Currently CBH manage and maintain around 5,000 tenant and leasehold properties with an overall satisfaction level of 85%, placing them in the top ten ALMOs nationally
  • The organisation’s approach to community development and participation; governance and equality and diversity has been recognised as good practice nationally
  • CBH continue to develop excellent services by working closely with customers. It will include building new homes and continuing to regenerate communities whilst tackling issues of worklessness and addressing social enterprise

For further information visit: www.cheltborohomes.org

Press contact: Catherine Best e: catherine.best@cheltborohomes.org t: 01242 775317