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Johnstone's Plays Its Part In Heavenly Makeover

30/04/2014

Sinfin Moor Church in Derby has been given a new lease of life thanks to a generous donation of paint and time by leading paint brand Johnstone’s Trade, management and apprentices from national contractor Bell Decorating Group, and apprentices from Derby Homes.

The project, which was overseen by Derby College’s construction department and Derby Homes Repairs Team, took place during National Apprentice Week and was designed to enhance the apprentices’ work skills in a real life environment.

The 24 Derby Homes apprentices were joined by students from the Royal School for the Deaf Derby and apprentices from local partner companies - Bell Decorating Group and Buildbase - who work with the organisation.

They spent the week at Sinfin Moor Church – renovating the kitchen, fitting replacement windows, plastering, brickwork, as well as undertaking a full redecoration. The church and community centre, originally built in 1975, is used by more than 700 people a week.  As well as the regular congregation who use the Church for worship, the facility is used by Brownies, Cubs, Beavers, Girl Guides, the Live At Home scheme, a parent and toddler group and every day by an Asian over 60’s group.

Johnstone’s has a longstanding relationship with both Bell Decorating Group and Derby Homes with many of the properties having been decorated with Johnstone’s high performance products following Bell Decorating Group securing the external, internal painting and lobby refurbishment contract in 2011.

Johnstone’s donated more than 170 litres of paint from across its comprehensive portfolio, including Acrylic Eggshell in a series of bold colours, Covaplus Vinyl Matt and gloss and undercoat products from the market leading Aqua range to provide a finish to be proud of. Johnstone’s also donated a host of decorating sundries from its sister brand, Fat Hog, so the apprentices were armed with all the necessary tools for the project.

Annabelle Barwick, project manager at Derby Homes, said: “We were delighted to take part in this initiative and make a real impact in the local community. The support from our business partners was vital to the success of the project and we are very grateful to Johnstone’s for the generous donation of paint and sundries. It is a fantastic example of the positive impact businesses can have in their community.”