The Women's Aid safe house in the Island is now a much brighter and cheerful place thanks to the efforts of staff members from Royal Bank of Scotland International who undertook a special project under the auspices of the Bank's 'Get Your Hands Dirty' scheme.
Under the programme, staff members can nominate worthwhile initiatives and those chosen, benefit from ?1,000 of finance from RBS International's community investment. Product Marketing Manager Jo Corkill, one of the organisers, takes up the story: 'Women's Aid is a little known charity which provides long and short-term accommodation for women and children who may otherwise have nowhere else to go, having escaped an abusive relationship.
'When we heard that our nomination had been successful we asked Women's Aid what their wish list would be. This was simply to have the playroom painted, a DVD player provided, and a new blind for a bit more privacy. In the end, helped by the combined efforts of three local companies, our ?1,000 extended far beyond the wish list.'
The extra work included painting the children's play room, together with the provision of new toys and pictures and the addition of a desk where children could do their homework. There were also makeovers for bedrooms and the kitchen - the latter being improved considerably by the purchase of a modern dinner service as well as new pots and pans.
The biggest single project centered on an empty back yard which the team felt had the potential of being turned into a peaceful area where adults could sit and children play in safety. Two large boards were acquired, each measuring four feet by eight feet and these were painted with pictures of lions, tigers and elephants. The Bank's facilities management company Prospero rallied round to assemble and place the murals on the wall.
In addition to the physical work at the refuge, the volunteers launched a 'Just One Tin' campaign where staff were invited to donate one tin of food. In the event, many hundreds were collected filling all the kitchen cupboards and more besides. A Facebook appeal brought in gifts of toys and clothes and the organisers said they had been overwhelmed by the response.
Jo Corkill and colleague Sarah Dawson acted as project managers and other staff members who also gave up their lunchtimes and helped outside banking hours were: Steph Kelly, Derek Cain, Sarah Cain, Lisa Turton, Lorna Quaye, Kirsty Weir and Miguel Fernandes.
Said Jo Corkill: 'Women's Aid is a lovely charity, funded mostly by donations, that I believe does not receive as much publicity as it should but plays a very important part in our local community by providing a safe house for both the women and their children. We were really pleased we were able to carry out far more improvements than originally envisaged but a massive thank you is due to Prospero, Waltons and Talbot Blinds for their generosity and help. Their involvement meant we could stretch our budget to do more work on the house.'
Jo was so impressed by the commitment of the charity that she intends to join Women's Aid as a volunteer. She says anyone who wants to make further donations can contact her.
