Kentish Express Ashford & District
Women’s refuge cashes in on bank staff’s goodwill
Volunteers from Barclays have helped redecorate a women’s refuge in the Ashford area as part of the company’s giving back to the community days.
The bank provided over 40 members of staff from across Kent and London to volunteer over two days to take part in some DIY.
As well as providing manual labour, Barclays granted £1,000 to buy materials and decorations as well as donations of food, scooters and children’s toys.
Homebase in Folkestone also provided £50 worth of paint for the main project rooms, the communal lounge and kitchen.
Left over money will go towards other items for the refuge.
Karen Howarth, support housing officer at Centra Care and Barclays bank team ‘Giving back to the community day’ decorating the lounge and kitchen at women’s refuge in the Ashford area Support, which runs the refuge, said: “The two days were amazing.
“The communal lounge and kitchen are so much more welcoming and warm looking, they look just wonderful.
“One of the volunteers even managed to put three large shelves in the creche. This will allow the child therapist more room for the children to have a more structured play session.”
Jane Small, event organiser and southern relationship support manager for Barclays said: “It was challenging organising the Barclays staff, I’m still washing paint out my hair!
“But it was a hugely rewarding couple of days making a difference to the local community and that’s what Barclays is all about.”
Volunteers also painted one of the flats and two garden sheds, while Folkestone businessmen Keith Lee, a decorator, and Nick from Inside Out, also provided equipment, help and advice.
Ashford Mayor and Mayoress George Koowaree and Gloria Champion also visited and spent time with the volunteers, ladies and children.
‘It was a hugely rewarding couple of days making a difference’