Engineers from British Sky Broadcasting have helped renovate a hall owned by the Samaritans as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility programme, The Bigger Picture.
The North London building, Shaftesbury Hall, was bought by the Samaritans in 1977 but has remained unused as there were no funds or resources available to renovate it. But, after a week of building work, cleaning and painting, the Samaritans are able to use it for recruitment, training and fundraising events.
Darren Bacchus, a Sky employee involved in the project, said: “The renovation project has allowed us to develop new skills, build relationships with local people and give something back to the community. We’ve learnt a lot about the Samaritans and the role the charity plays both locally and nationally.”
Sky’s ‘Bigger Picture’ programme allows employees to take two paid working days each year to carry out work in the community. Other projects have included creating a nature trail with the YMCA; building a straw bale house with Global Action Plan; and working with disadvantaged young people through football charity Street League.
