Member Article

Corporate donation provides finishing touches to Byker hostel

Residents living in a supported housing scheme in Byker, Newcastle are benefitting from brand new ceramic hobs in the newly fitted communal kitchen after receiving a donation from a local contractor.

Staff from the Gateshead branch of Howdens Joinery donated £400 to housing provider, Tyne Housing Association after completing a full refurbishment of new kitchens at the Byker Bridge Hostel on Wilfred Street. The hostel provides 31 emergency bed spaces for single homeless men and women and residents have access to a communal living and dining room, kitchen and laundry room.

Howdens Joinery is the UK’s largest manufacturer and supplier of fitted kitchens, appliances and joinery products and is the preferred kitchen supplier for Newcastle-based Tyne Housing Association. Tyne Housing provides homes, training and support services to single, homeless and vulnerable people living in Newcastle, Gateshead, Northumberland, North Tyneside and South Tyneside.

The money that was donated was used to install ceramic hobs in the new communal kitchen, which will be used as training hobs for people living at the scheme.

Marc Edwards, Head of Maintenance and Compliance at Tyne Housing Association, said: “We are really grateful to Howdens Joinery for this donation which will benefit our residents living at the scheme.

“As part of its corporate social responsibility, the company also raised additional funds for another one of our schemes, Joseph Cowen Health Centre, by placing donation buckets at its trade counter in the depot. The centre provides access to healthcare for those who are street homeless or in temporary accommodation and cannot access mainstream healthcare services. Both of these donations will make a huge difference to our residents.”

Keith Young, Branch Manager for Howdens Joinery Gateshead said: “Each year, we help to raise money and support homeless people. It’s a company-wide initiative that is very close to our CEO’s heart who regularly participates in the annual CEO sleep out. The Gateshead branch was pleased to support Tyne Housing Association who provide supported housing and day services to vulnerable people across Tyneside and Northumberland.

“In addition to the £400 corporate donation, staff in the depot made up packed lunch boxes containing sandwiches, juice and crisps and then asked tradesman coming into the depot to make a donation. All donations were given to the Joseph Cowen Health Centre in Byker.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Up North Communications .