Helping to build a new workshop for local charity
A number of Metsä Wood employees have volunteered their free time to help construct a large workshop for Halton Haven Hospice in Runcorn, Cheshire.The workshop, named the Metsä Shed forms an extension to the Hospice's existing 'Men's Shed' which was set up to provide support to bereaved men of all ages. The shed provides a place where they can reflect and think whilst having the support network they need to help them through a difficult time in their lives. The men are able to get involved in all sorts of activities including cooking a meal, model making, restoring something, decorative carving and other interesting activities.
The Hospice's existing Men's Shed had become so popular since it opened, they desperately needed to extend it so they had more space available for the men to work on their different projects.
The twenty-three volunteers from Metsa Wood were keen to help the Hospice deliver this project. Mike Gerrard, Regional Operations Director from Metsa Wood commented "Understanding how the Hospice helps the local community really spurred us on to build a space for people who really need help. Delivering this project, we have seen how appreciative the members are and what it means to them."The volunteers from Metsa Wood donated a total of 469 hours to the project which started in May 2015 with an initial design through to installation of the plasterboard in February 2016.
Shaun Pollard CEO at the Hospice stated, "We can't thank Metsä Wood enough. Our original shed was just too small and the Hospice did not have the funds to build the new workshop. Thanks to Metsä Wood our problem has been solved and we can now help even more bereaved men. This a fantastic example of a large business making a real difference to its local community."
The interior of the shed was finished by members of the Men's Shed so they could make it their own. The official open day for the Men's Shed is on 1st July 2016.