Housebuilder Avant Homes has introduced a new initiative called ‘Day to Make a Difference’ to support schools, charities and other local groups and businesses, in the communities in which it builds.
All 700 of the company’s employees, from construction workers and sales advisors to apprentices and directors, downed tools and stepped away from their keyboards for the day on June 12 to donate time to 29 organisations across Scotland, the North East, Yorkshire and the Midlands for the initiative’s inaugural event.
Dozens of Avant Homes suppliers also stepped in to help by donating materials such as paint, transport, timber and even a brand-new kitchen!
Staff rolled up their sleeves to get involved in cleaning communal areas and beaches, installing new equipment in foodbanks, and lending a hand in hospices, community centres and more.
Some of the fantastic causes supported include Strathcarron Hospice in Falkirk; Edinburgh homeless charity Social Bite; North Shields community hubs Meadow Well Connected and Linskill Centre; Forestry England; Women’s Aid; Chesterfield Foodbank; and Ashgate Hospice and disabled children’s charity Fairplay both based in Chesterfield.
Avant Homes chief executive officer, Colin Lewis, said:
“Our ‘Day to Make A Difference’ initiative was created with the mission of supporting those in our local communities who need it most and to make a real difference to their lives. We we’re humbled and honoured to spend the day working with so many amazing schools, charities and local groups.
“Everyone from Avant really enjoyed seeing first-hand what goes into making these fantastic organisations operate and everyone really got stuck in wherever they could. I’d like to thank all the schools, businesses and charities we collaborated with for allowing us to step into their place of work for the day and our suppliers for their generous contributions and donation of equipment that helped us get the job done.
“I’d also like to congratulate everyone at Avant Homes for all the hard work they have put in to prepare for this initiative and the teamwork shown on the day. Without their passion and enthusiasm this project would not have been possible.”