Community centre builds for the future with help of brick-maker
BUILDING products manufacturer Forterra has donated £2,500 to Thornton Community Centre to help it broaden its community role.
The cash has been spent on a projector as the newly-renovated centre seeks to become a “community hub”, hosting a range of activities, including wedding receptions and meetings.
Centre trustees also hope to buy a three-seater bench made from recycled materials and containing a plaque thanking Desford-based brick-maker Forterra for its generosity.
The company places an emphasis on supporting nearby communities, so when Thornton Community Centre approached it for assistance, a representative visited the centre to meet the trustees to get an understanding of the issues being faced by the centre and its users.
The area has been hard hit by the pandemic, with older residents often feeling isolated. It has made many recognise the important role a community centre has to play in helping people to connect and feel part of something bigger.
Centre volunteers are aiming to improve its facilities so it can become a place for clubs and societies.
Helen Newberry, head of marketing and communications at Forterra, said: “As soon as trustees at the community centre explained their difficulties, I knew we needed to step in and contribute, to allow this important building to continue as a hub for the local community.
“I’m delighted that renovations have taken place and that a projector has been purchased which can be utilised to great benefit. The building is looking fantastic and I’m hopeful it will continue to support the community and those who may otherwise feel socially excluded.”
Forterra is spending £95 million on doubling production capacity at the Desford plant with the aim of turning it into the biggest and most efficient brick factory in Europe.
The cash has been spent on a projector as the newly-renovated centre seeks to become a ‘community hub’, hosting a range of activities