Wheelchair users now have easier access to a social club thanks to a ?23K Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project.
Unitas Stoke-on-Trent Ltd, the city council?s housing repairs and maintenance company, managed and directed contractors to install an access ramp at Norton Central Social Club, in Knypersley Road.
Councillor Joanne Powell-Beckett, Unitas board member and the city council?s housing portfolio holder, said: ?Everyone involved did a wonderful job making this great social club accessible to the whole community. The CSR payback for this project totalled ?23,325 and we look forward to completing many more CSR projects to benefit residents.?
Carson Powell Construction Limited provided their CSR payback to the community in the form of labour, installing slabs, the ramp and handrail and painting the handrail.
Emerys Builders Merchants donated all building products, such as slabs, sand and cement, and MGH Site Services manufactured the handrail.
Eddie Chell, club secretary, thanked Unitas and all the companies who contributed to getting the work completed at no cost to the club. He added: ?The new disabled ramp is great for people with wheelchairs, who always found it difficult to get in as they had to wait for us put the portable ramp out.
?It is also a benefit for the older members, who now don?t have to worry about two steps to get into the club late at night and when it?s raining. Our next project is to get the disabled members upstairs and a lift will be required.?
The project came under the Baddeley, Milton and Norton Ward. Ward councillor Dave Evans said: ?It is refreshing to see such large local companies paying back into their communities and making Stoke-on-Trent a better place to live.?
Ward councillor Carl Edwards added: ?By installing a disabled access ramp, the social club has created a more inclusive environment for its members and I?m pleased to hear another project is being planned for a lift.?
Ward councillor James Smith said: ?We?ve been seeing a lot in the media lately of some people not working together in these difficult times, so it really warms the heart to see this fantastic example of collaborative working to achieve something which will genuinely make a difference to people?s lives. Well done to all involved.?
To find out more about Unitas Stoke-on-Trent?s CSR work contact Rachel Forster, CSR co-ordinator, on 07717 714198 or follow Unitas on Facebook @UnitasStokeOnTrent.
