British Steel apprentices have been helping to give a popular Scunthorpe community centre a new lease of life as part of the company’s Building Stronger Communities scheme.
A group of first year apprentices from British Steel’s Scunthorpe site volunteered for a day painting studio walls at the Kimberley Performing Arts Centre on Enderby Road in the town.
Kimberley Performing Arts Centre (KPAC) is a Community Interest Company which provides performing arts training for more than 300 local youngsters, as well as providing facilities for other community organisations to hold their activities. It is estimated more than 500 people use the centre on a weekly basis.
Kimberley Gribben, Principle at KPAC, said: “Both the pupils and I are extremely grateful for the work the apprentices are doing to help us improve our facility and we’re very excited to see the outcome.
“This centre supports a range of groups within the local and wider community. Following these refurbishments, we’re hoping to be able to open a café too.”
This is the second time in recent months British Steel apprentices have gone out into the community to use their skills to help others. In July a team took on a range of projects at the steelworkers’ cottages in the town to give something back to a previous generation of steelworks employees.
Robin Marsh, 2nd Year Mechanical Apprentice, volunteered to help with the refurbishments. He said: “I know first hand what this centre provides for the community, giving many young people opportunities they otherwise wouldn’t have.
“I volunteered today as I believe it’s important to try and give something back to the community in which we operate. I hope to inspire other apprentices to do the same.”
Find out more about British Steel’s Building Stronger Communities programme at https://britishsteel.co.uk/who-we-are/in-the-community/ or contact British Steel’s Community Liaison Manager Rachel Lawrence by emailing rachel.lawrence@britishsteel.co.uk
Find out more about the Kimberley Performing Arts Centre at https://www.kimberleyperformingarts.co.uk/