A national company is giving a helping hand to the Parker Memorial Home charity in Sunderland.
Bibby Financial Services, a national company, have chosen to help the Sunderland-based charity to renovate a Victorian House.
The property, based in Kayll Road, was left to the city as well as the charity itself.
Bobby Financial Services, who have an office based in Sunderland, are coming to the charity on Friday (April 1) with a team of employees and paint to finish off the main building.
The national charity are also raising money for the Parker Memorial Home and then matching the money raised pound for pound.
Iain Nairn, Bibby Financial Services’ business development manager, said: “Bibby Financial Services are thrilled to be a part of re-establishing the home of a charity very special to Sunderland.
“Bobby Financial Services invests in SMEs [small/medium enterprises] to enable their development, and therefore a charity which invests in young individuals to better their future is a cause very important to us.
Karen Wood, community development manager at Parker Memorial Home, said: “This building needs to be open, so I recently held a DIY SOS and made an appeal to the local community and businesses to help with the cosmetic and minor repairs of the main house.”
The DIY SOS took place from March 14 to March 25.
Ms Wood added: “The response was overwhelming with over 60 volunteers all donating both time, refreshments and materials.
“It is estimated that the amount of work undertaken has saved the Charity close to £10,000.
“This will enable us to now move forward with room space to deliver projects.”
The building consists of a large outhouse and 6 garages and has been left unused for a number of years.
Ms Wood said: “It is need of a lot of TLC and my role is to bring it back to life for the people of the city.”
The charity originally helped “fallen women under the age of 21”.
It is now aiming to help male and female’s from the age of 0 to 25.
The charity is going to offer educational and recreational activities to young people across the city to inspire, motivate and reduce barriers they may face.
It will be targeting all young people but working closely with those most vulnerable including: looked after children, leaving care, young offenders, disabled or those suffering long term illnesses, those who are or are at risk of becoming (NEET) not in education, employment, training, those socially and emotionally isolated and those experiencing mental health issues.
Parker Memorial Home will offer and cover activities and projects in re-cycling, up cycling, cooking, social skills, counselling, pre-employment support, volunteering, environmental projects, enterprise, functional skills and bespoke services.
While doing this, it will also aim to encourage people to be active citizens and make informed decisions for their life choices.
Ms Wood, community development manager for the Parker Memorial Home, said: “I am passionate about the work I do and have won local awards for my work voted by the public and have built up a trusting relationship with the community,employers, fellow professionals and funders over the years.
“It is a challenge and a privilege to be given the opportunity to manage Parker Memorial Home and extend the provision of my work to the wider community.
It is amazing to see local people and businesses get together to support a Charity that will ultimately up-skill young people in the city and this has generated a really feel good atmosphere in the community and shows what can be achieved by working together.”
Mr Nairn, business development manager at Bibby Financial Services added: “Friday will be a fantastic day for all involved, but also a day to celebrate all the incredible work which the Parker Memorial Home has done and continues to do.
“Please do come down to join in with the big build on Friday – all volunteers are welcome.”