Social Responsibility Starts at Home
Mon 12th November 2007
Leading architectural practice, Stephen George & Partners, successfully launched their Social Responsibility programme to their staff by organising a one day refurbishment of Leonard Cheshire Disability’s residential home in Cheltenham.
One hundred professionals, including architects, descended on Leonard Cheshire Disability with hammers and paintbrushes to give up their time to assist in a transformation which could have come out of a television reality show.
David Taylor, Senior Partner, described why the practice decided to involve their staff on a practical level, “We need to move towards a challenging measure of social responsibility, where we judge our business not just by normal business standards, but by the difference we make to the world in which we live in and the contribution we make to other people’s lives. The refurbishment of Leonard Cheshire’s Disability in Cheltenham provided an opportunity for us to engage our staff in a real life experience that demonstrated that each and every one of us has the ability to contribute to making other people’s lives better.”
The refurbishment was completed in one day and the living area was changed beyond recognition with freshly painted walls, new furniture and the installation of a 42 inch plasma TV, while the gardens were also spruced up with new plants, wood chips, decking and a new area for their BBQ.
Lora Fullbroook, Fundraiser and Volunteer Co-ordinator Leonard Cheshire Disability, said: “Having Stephen George and Partners join us for the one day challenge event was an incredible experience. I do not think any of us could have dreamt of their achievements! They worked tirelessly as a well organised, efficient and professional team throughout every stage of the day.
The impact that their hard work has had on the home has been tremendous. I have been lucky enough to see the real rewards of the work; the residents smiling, laughing and enjoying their new and improved surroundings. It is a new pleasure to see them socialising together and sharing the modern facilities. There are already plans for summer barbecues and public events to show off their new space.
We are all absolutely thrilled with the opportunities that are now presented to us as a modern, accessible vibrant home; this is with great thanks to Stephen George and Partners. We wish them every success and hope that they continue to be an inspiration to us all”.