Community Partnership Restores Emmaus Hertfordshire Facilities Following Fire Damage
Morgan Sindall Property Services (MSPS) has partnered with Volunteer It Yourself (VIY) and Shanly Homes to help restore fire-damaged facilities at Emmaus Hertfordshire, while creating valuable training and employment opportunities for residents.
The project supported Emmaus Hertfordshire, a charity that provides a home, work and support for adults who have experienced or are at risk of homelessness. Following fire damage to several of its garden sheds and outbuildings, the charity faced significant repair costs and uncertainty about how the work could be funded.
Through its commitment to creating lasting social value in local communities, MSPS provided funding and donated all the materials needed to fully restore the buildings, enabling the project to go beyond basic repairs and deliver a complete refurbishment.
Working alongside VIY trade mentors, residents gained hands-on experience across a range of construction disciplines while working towards City & Guilds accreditations. As part of MSPS’s involvement, the team also delivered employability workshops to help participants develop the skills and confidence needed to take their next steps into the construction industry.
The extensive programme of works included:
- Removal of damaged roofing materials, guttering and debris
- Replacement of fire-damaged structural timbers and roof spars
- Installation of new roofing, flashing and guttering
- Replacement of external timber cladding
- Construction of a new side entrance door
- Internal cleaning, decorating and finishing works
- Painting and restoration of the building’s exterior
The completed refurbishment has transformed the outbuildings, ensuring they are safe, secure and fit for purpose for Emmaus Hertfordshire and the people it supports.
Chloe Sykes, Social Value Officer at Morgan Sindall Property Services, said: “Delivering social value is at the heart of what we do at MSPS, and this project is a great example of how meaningful partnerships can create lasting impact. By supporting the refurbishment of Emmaus Hertfordshire’s facilities and providing employability support to local young people, we’ve been able to invest in both community infrastructure and future talent. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the tangible difference the project has made and the opportunities it has created for those looking to build a career in construction.”
Graham Blackbourne, Senior Project Manager at Volunteer It Yourself, said: “This project has been a great success, helping restore a building that is now safe and fit for purpose while giving local young people the opportunity to gain hands-on construction experience and achieve City & Guilds accreditations. It was great to see Morgan Sindall Property Services deliver employability workshops, giving learners valuable support for their next steps into the construction industry. It’s been a pleasure establishing this new partnership, and we look forward to working together again.
“The project demonstrates how collaboration between businesses, charities and community partners can deliver meaningful benefits for both local organisations and young people seeking opportunities within the construction sector.”
Gemma Beckett, Business Development Manager at Emmaus Hertfordshire, said:
“This project has been a huge benefit to us at Emmaus Hertfordshire – as a small charity, every penny counts, so when our garden sheds were fire damaged last year, we really weren’t sure when we’d be able to give ourselves permission to spend money on repairing them. When VIY offered to carry out a project to help us repair it, we were delighted, but it really needed more than just small repairs, so we really needed to make the funding stretch as far as we could.
“That’s where Morgan Sindall Property Services stepped in and donated all the materials required to repair the whole thing, even giving it a brand-new roof. VIY and Morgan Sindall’s support has not only improved our facilities but has also demonstrated the power of partnership and giving back to the community. For charities like ours, this kind of practical support makes a real and lasting difference.
“By investing in both community facilities and future talent, MSPS has helped deliver a project that supports Emmaus Hertfordshire’s vital work, while helping young people develop practical skills, industry qualifications and routes into employment.”
ENDS
For more information, please contact Communications@morgansindall.com
