Volunteers from First Manchester get to work on new digital hub for community mental health
- Creative Living Centre in Prestwich renovated with new acoustic panelling
- Digital hub set to be completed soon
A team of volunteers from bus operator First Manchester have given a helping hand to a holistic mental health charity in Prestwich to prepare a new digital hub for users.
The group of four came along to the Creative Living Centre (CLC), which supports the mental health and wellbeing of local people with a range of activities and counselling services.
The centre, situated on Rectory Lane, Prestwich required renovation to a number of rooms and the installation of acoustic panelling to reduce the amount of sound transfer between rooms.
Four volunteers led by John Banjo, Employee Director of First Manchester and one of its mental health champions, together with Andrew Nicholson, David Jones and Mansoor Ahmed picked up paint brushes and power tools to get to work on the centre.
They chose CLC through Neighbourly, the online platform connecting volunteering opportunities and business.
Equipment for the digital hub starts to arrive this week (w/c 8 January) with furniture to follow.
John Banjo said: “We chose this project as it’s very close to the heart of Manchester and has provided many families with support. We wanted to give something back and this was our investment of time.
“We managed to paint several rooms and complete some soundproofing. It was great to help this wonderful charity and work alongside its team to see the progress being made to create the hub.”
The Creative Living Centre provides support for life skills and education, advocacy, support to disabled and vulnerable people as well as arts, crafts and cultural experiences.
Tom Wild, Take Part Co-ordinator at the centre, said: “It was an absolute pleasure to welcome the team from First Bus to the CLC for their day of volunteering.
“We couldn’t believe how much they got done in a limited time frame and we are so thankful for the redecoration and acoustic panelling completed prior to the installation of our SKYUP digital hub.
“We rely not only on our regular volunteers but also the kindness of local organisations and companies offering their employees a day to give back to their community. We couldn’t offer the services and support we do without this valuable contribution! The team are welcome back anytime!”
John Banjo said the experience is one that will stay with colleagues and are planning more volunteering. “We hope to enjoy similar days in the future,” he added.
The CLC is also planning the develop an allotment and has set up a crowd-funding page for donations at
Photo caption: First Bus volunteers outside CLC (l--r) David Jones, Mansoor Ahmed, John Banjo and Andrew Nicholson.
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Notes to editors
Media enquiries to Richard Harrison, PR Manager, First Bus North & West Yorkshire 07973 668116 richard.m.harrison@firstbus.co.uk
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