A Ferryhill-based not-for-profit organisation has been awarded funding from Esh Construction to replace windows and doors at its centre, improving the building’s energy consumption and preventing future vandalism.
Established in 1992, Endeavour Woodcrafts is a Community Interest Company (CIC) and provides a vital day care service for adults with learning difficulties and mental health issues within the Old Fire Station in Ferryhill. The centre provides service users with skills in woodwork and arts and crafts, as well as general socialising and life skills.
Esh Construction awarded the funding as part of the Greener Communities programme, a grant-making initiative which was launched by the firm earlier this year in partnership with County Durham Community Foundation.
Endeavour had two street facing windows which were subject to vandalism and due to age, had started to rot. These have now been replaced with double-glazed windows which will reduce energy consumption and make the building more efficient. Three doors to the building have also been replaced after attempted burglaries have left them damaged.
The replacement doors and windows will have a positive impact on service users as they will feel safer in the building, and the centre will become more cost effective to run.
Carole King, Finance & Administration Officer at Endeavour Woodcrafts CIC, said: “We are very grateful to have been awarded the funding from Esh Construction and delighted to showcase the work that has been carried out to both improve our building and ensure the wellbeing of our service users.
“The replacement doors and windows offer additional security as well as ensuring we are able to reduce energy costs before winter arrives. We have also used the funding to install a CCTV system providing security to our building and reassurance to our clients.”
Esh’s Greener Communities programme will help communities become ‘greener’ through carbon reduction, environmental improvement, and education projects. A fund of £50,000 was allocated to support projects which are centred around green skills, climate resilience, improving green spaces and habitats.
Steven Garrigan, Divisional Director at Esh Construction, said: “The work that Endeavour Woodcrafts does is vital for the local community. We are delighted that with our funding they have been able to secure the facility and protect it from future vandalism and burglaries, helping to put everyone’s mind at ease.
“With the ongoing cost of living crisis and the need for us all to reduce energy usage, the replacement doors and windows for the centre will help reduce the rising cost of energy bills, ensuring that more funds can be used to continue providing much-needed support.”
Endeavour Woodcraft is based just four miles from Esh’s civil engineering scheme at Burnigill bank. Working on behalf of Durham County Council, Esh is delivering major repair works to a stretch of road that has been impacted by a landslip.
The work that Endeavour Woodcrafts does is vital for the local community. We are delighted that with our funding they have been able to secure the facility and protect it from future vandalism and burglaries, helping to put everyone’s mind at ease. With the ongoing cost of living crisis and the need for us all to reduce energy usage, the replacement doors and windows for the centre will help reduce the rising cost of energy bills, ensuring that more funds can be used to continue providing much-needed support."
