Paragon Bank complete two-week volunteering project for St Basils

Employees from Paragon 's External Relations (ER) department have taken part in the biggest volunteering project in Paragon history.

Thirty-five members of the department used their paid-volunteering days to redecorate and transform Binswood Lodge, a St Basils supported housing unit for young people in Leamington Spa.

The volunteers had a big challenge of revamping two common room areas in the lodge: one living area and one social games room. The rooms were very tired and had obvious signs of wear and tear.

Members of the department, including employees from their Insight team, held a focus group with the residents in the planning process prior to the work starting. It was clear that they were in need of a welcoming and friendly space to relax and have fun in. The rooms had been painted in a dull grey colour, which the residents felt was depressing and dreary.

The main aim of the project was to brighten the space and complete a full redecoration of the space.

Ellie Birch, corporate communications executive, said: “I was responsible for the planning and organisation of our External Relations volunteering project. It was certainly a big task and one that seemed rather daunting at first. We needed to plan carefully, obtain the right materials and tools and keep the residents wishes in mind at all times.

“Every day, during the project, we had three or four members of our department on site. Each team was tasked with various jobs� from prepping and sanding to painting and cleaning, everyone was hands on! I am incredibly proud of my colleagues in ER for their hard work and enthusiasm throughout the project. It was clear, upon completing the project, how much it had meant to both the staff and residents at Binswood Lodge.

“To see some of their faces when they saw the final result was just fantastic. One resident explained to me that he had never seen anyone do anything like this for them before and that many people never delivered on their promises, yet we had gone above and beyond. He promised that he would be organising a movie night in the rooms as soon as he could! ”

Pictured (l - r): Deborah Bateman (external relations director), Kathryn Rhinds (senior corporate communications manager), Ellie Birch (corporate communications executive) and two of the young residents.