North Somerset Architects help to transform a Youth Club’s Play Area

A team from GSS Architecture has helped to transform a Youth Club’s Play Area at The Grove Youth Club in Bedminster Down, Bristol as part of National Give & Gain Day on 9^th July 2010, which was one of the hottest days of the year.

GSS partner Mark Stevens, together with a group of volunteers from the practice, turned up on 9 July to overhaul the area, which is in part of the club’s grounds. The work involved the removal of outdated playground equipment, the provision of a new mulched play area, repainting fences, weed removal and generally updating the area. GSS also obtained kind donations of materials from both Whitehall Garden Centre in Whitchurch and Blagdon Tree Surgeons, based close to GSS in Pill.

The intensive work was GSS’s, contribution to the national Give and Gain Day, which was organised by Business in the Community. Over 6,500 employees from 220 companies throughout the UK took part in the scheme, which is the UK’s largest day of action. Employees are mobilized to volunteer their expertise and time during their working day to the benefit of a variety of community groups including schools, clubs and local charities.

GSS are national members of Business in the Community, and take an active part in the organization’s ProHelp scheme, providing pro bono advice and professional support to local voluntary and charitable organizations close to each of their offices, but particularly in Bristol, where Mark Stevens is currently serving as Chair of ProHelp.

“We believe very strongly in putting something back into the community, and we are committed to corporate social responsibility, “said Mark. “We’ve undertaken numerous projects in support of charities in and around Bristol and elsewhere, and we were all delighted to come along today to help overhaul the play area for the young children. The kind donations we received from other businesses within the city shows, that even in these difficult times, organizations are pleased to help such worthwhile organizations.”