News: Rotherham charity's new place of peace

A unique partnership between Rotherham Council and construction companies, Fortem and Mears, has played a key role in creating a new home for homelessness charity, Shiloh.

An official opening ceremony recently took place at the old Weighbridge building on Station Road, with Rotherham's Mayor Cllr Eve Rose Keenan also unveiling a special plaque commemorating Shiloh's 25 years serving the local community.

Moving from Sheffield Road to the council's former weighbridge at Masbrough, the facility will provide support to vulnerable people who are going through a difficult period in their lives, including homelessness, by providing them with the life skills needed to get back on their feet.

Meanwhile, the Big Lottery funding will enable Shiloh to expand its work, as well as help the organisation provide around 20,000 meals a year.

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John McDonnell, Chairman for Shiloh (pictured welcoming volunteers and guests), said: "The way that churches, individuals and businesses contributed in various ways to make sure the project was completed was fantastic. Even businesses who would normally be competitors, worked tirelessly together on the project. We asked a decorating company for some rollers and brushes and they sent in a team of decorators.

"RMBC staff left their PCs and desks, rolled up their sleeves to paint, clean and get the place ready. Then there was that lady, who day after day, jumped on a bus to Shiloh, tirelessly cleaning and cleaning everything. The Rotherham community are so kind hearted!"

Fortem and Mears work with Rotherham Council to deliver a repairs and maintenance service to homes across the borough.

Fortem undertook extensive works to the electrics, refurbished the toilet blocks and re-commissioned the heating system, including the installation of a new boiler.

David Coldwell, general manager of Fortem Rotherham, said: "Our work in the communities of Rotherham brings us in contact every day with those who are less fortunate. It has been a pleasure helping Shiloh update their new premises, which will enhance the wellbeing of the residents who use the building and provide a lifeline for those experiencing hardship."

Mears also undertook extensive building and structural works to help transform the premises.

Andrew Chambers, general manager of the Rotherham branch, said: "We are proud to have been part of the transformation of Shiloh's new premises and their continuing journey in supporting local people who find themselves in need.

"We have huge admiration for Shiloh's work and look forward to continuing our work through our partnership with the Council to leave a lasting legacy in the community."

Shiloh website

Images: Shiloh

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News: Work begins on Shiloh's new home

Big-hearted local firms have come together to provide a helping hand at Shiloh's new home in Rotherham.

Moving from Sheffield Road to the council's former weighbridge at Masbrough, Shiloh provides its guests with access to a wide range of services free of charge, including hot meals, washing facilities, laundry facilities, counselling services and clothing.

Outgrowing its current Westgate facilities with the lease due to expire, the Council, in partnership with its main repairs and maintenance contractors, Willmott Dixon and Mears are now finalising the delivery plan for a full modernised refurbishment programme of the weighbridge, which will enable Shiloh and its partners to expand on a range of essential  services they deliver to Shiloh's guests (clients) now, and for many years to come.

The building project is also being supported by John Box Associates who offered their professional services at no charge and designed the conversion and got the plans passed and through building control.

John Goodyear and Company Ltd has also come on board to ensure the whole building process proceeds safely and efficiently.

If that wasn't enough, the Probation Service also offered their help and has already started the makeover, changing the appearance of an old dilapidated 1960's building to giving it a bright and modern look inside and out.

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With the delivery plan almost complete, Madam Mayor, Lyndsay Pitchley was more than pleased to initiate the start of the major undertaking by hitting the first brick.

John McDonnell, services development manager at Shiloh, said: "Seeing our guests progress and become self-reliant, with some starting to volunteer and others getting employment, is so rewarding. However we soon realised we needed more rooms for mentoring, classes, activities and hairdressing etc. We will be able to do all that and much more in the new Shiloh."

"We recently had a funding campaign to purchase a new kitchen for the new Shiloh, this was a tremendous success and the new kitchen will be installed shortly. A big thanks to all you generous folks who donated.

"We are still needing some help to pay for a shower room, and also for the floor coverings we will need for the large dining room and kitchen, so if you can support us again please get in touch."

Shiloh website

Images: Shiloh

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News: Morrison helps out at Shiloh's new home

Shiloh, a homeless charity in Rotherham, which was at risk of becoming homeless itself, has re-opened in new premises.

The 20 year old charity faced having to close its doors for good, until Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council offered it the use of a disused gymnasium. Unfortunately the building was a complete shell and needed to be entirely renovated and fitted out in order to make it viable for Shiloh's use.

Repairs and maintenance service provider Morrison came forward and offered its assistance as part of its community development programme. Shiloh also gained considerable support from the construction and property industry's charity CRASH.

The total project costs amounted around £95,000 of which Shiloh raised £15,000 and the remaining £70,000 was donated by CRASH and Morrison through the provision of professional expertise, supplies, labour and some cash funding.

In total Morrison's team donated over 600 hours of staff time to the nine month project, including project managing the build and providing all the labour and tools free of charge. While CRASH patron company Galliford Try provided the services of a Quantity Surveyor, Knauf Drywall and supporters Altro, Baxi, PPG, Premdor and Saniflow supplied materials free of charge and CRASH awarded a cash grant of £9,000.

Morrison's team completely transformed the premises; building new rooms, installing laundry facilities, bathroom facilities, a fully functioning catering kitchen and a brand new heating system, as well as completely decorating the premises.

Now based on Sheffield Road, Shiloh provides its guests with access to a wide range of services free of charge, including hot meals, washing facilities, laundry facilities, counselling services and clothing.

Jonathan Lang, administrator of Shiloh said: "Without the labours of love and skill from the workers, and the companies and organisations who have donated their staff, materials and funding for this project, we would not be where we are today - and those who need us most would be worse off.

"Shiloh is only a small charity but we know we make a big difference to those in need; to have had to shut our doors because of a lack of suitable premises or finance would have been truly devastating for the people who rely on our support and we are so thankful that this has been avoided."

Mark Waterhouse, regional account director at Morrison, added: "Over the last nine months our team have spent many hours, including their own free time, to transform this building so it could provide shelter for those most in need in our local community.

"It has been an amazing project to be involved with and we are all so proud to see it finally opening its new doors and being able to provide fantastic new facilities for the most vulnerable people in Rotherham."

Shiloh website

Morrison website

Images: Shiloh

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