Sheltered housing scheme gets makeover thanks to volunteers

On Monday, residents at PCHA's Grittleton Road sheltered housing scheme near Maida Vale in Westminster were treated to an interior decoration and garden makeover when volunteers from Prudential UK came to help out.

Fifteen volunteers arrived at the Genesis Housing Group home and spent the day on various tasks.

They redecorated a flat occupied by Mrs Namit Chicole who recently suffered a stroke and is largely confined indoors.

Mrs Chicole was delighted with the result, saying: "What a fantastic job! I am very, very happy - my flat looks much brighter".

In addition, the volunteers weeded and cleaned a walled communal garden at the centre and planted a raised bed with fresh herbs for the residents to enjoy. They also sanded and re-stained three garden benches.

Frank Davies, one of the volunteers, said: "I would definitely do it again - I feel that I've really made a difference."

Eleanor Wong added: "The day was a great success. Everyone has commented that they would love to volunteer again and feel they have really got a lot out of the day.

"It was nice to know that we were making a difference to people in the community and was a good opportunity to work well as a team and get to know each other better." Back indoors the volunteers also set about repainting a guest room to make residents' visitors more welcome.

Beatrice Boussard, scheme manager at the centre, said: "I am very proud to see the young professionals give up their day at the office to make a difference in our community."

Genesis Housing Group provides homes and services to tens of thousands of people across London and the south east.