Award-winning housebuilder, Story Homes, has made a donation to Middleton St George Community Centre in order to help the popular village facility to make vital building improvements.
The committee at the Community Centre, made up of seven trustees, is working to ensure that it remains a welcoming and user-friendly space for local residents. Thanks to the funding from Story Homes, the committee will be able to begin interior and exterior refurbishment works in the New Year to update the building for the benefit of all of the groups and residents who use it.
Middleton St George Community Centre is a not-for-profit charity and run by volunteers. It currently hosts a wide variety of activities for all age groups, from toddler groups and Brownies to art groups, history groups and exercise classes. It also hosts community events such as quiz nights and is regularly hired for private functions.
Story Homes has made the donation as part of its ‘Future Story’ scheme, which aims to help charities and community organisations that surround its developments – in this case, Paddocks View in Middleton St George. This development of 112 family homes launched just over a year ago and two thirds of properties on the first phase are now sold.
The developer accepts sponsorship applications via its website all year round, with a regional committee reviewing submissions on a quarterly basis.
Louise Seniscal, vice-chair of the Middleton St George Community Centre committee, said: “We are proud that our Community Centre is a well-used resource within the village, and acts as a hub for people of all ages and interests. Our upcoming Christmas event on 25 November, which includes the village’s Christmas lights switch on, is just one of the many times a year that everyone comes together at the centre and there is a lovely village feel.
“To ensure that it can be used day-to-day and that its future can be secured for the next generation, it is crucial that we make improvements to bring the centre up-to-date. We are very grateful that Story Homes has chosen to support us; their donation will have a hugely positive impact.”
Ian Worgan, Managing Director for Story Homes in the North East, commented: “We endeavour to help the communities around our developments in ways that add long-term value. I’m sure that the Community Centre will be used by families who live in our homes at Paddocks View, and we are pleased to be making a contribution that will benefit not only those residents but the whole village.
“We look forward to visiting the new and improved Community Centre once the refurbishment has been completed, and to seeing it continue to be a hub that everyone in the community can enjoy for years to come.”
Paddocks View, which is based near to the Community Centre, was Story Homes’ sixth development in the North East and includes three, four and five-bedroom homes that are built to the housebuilder’s ‘Prestige’ specification.
Story Homes is now inviting charities and community groups to apply for support in the next quarter. Applications for sponsorship should be made by completing the form at storyhomes.co.uk/sustainable-story.