Age Concern Hampshire has once again welcomed volunteers from B&Q as part of the retailer's ongoing Community Days initiative, helping to improve a space used by older people across Hampshire.

The initiative, which has now been running for four years, forms part of B&Q's wider commitment to giving back to communities across the Uk and Ireland. Through the programme, B&Q donates colleagues time, skills and products to improve spaces for local charities.

This year, B&Q volunteers returned to support Age Concern Hampshire's Lockswood Care & Wellbeing Centre in Locks Heath following the success of last year's project, where the team transformed the charity's Reflection Room - a peaceful, quiet space designed for people to rest, reflect and take time away from busy activities. The improvements helped create a warm and calming environment for older people, carers and visitors using the centre.

Colleagues took advantage of the sunny weather to refresh the centre's garden by weeding plant beds, renewing the soil, planting new flowers and building a new garden bench. While part of the team worked outdoors, others refreshed the main communal hall with a fresh coat of paint. All tools, garden items and paint were kindly donated by B&Q as part of their initiative.

For many employees, the programme offers personal benefits too. Hollie Langford, Accountant at B&Q, said:

"I really enjoy time outside. I'm a very keen gardener and it's great for mental health too so it's beneficial for all."

The Community Days programme supports hundreds of charities across the UK and Ireland each year, with thousands of B&Q colleagues volunteering their time to make a positive difference in the areas where they live and work.

Hannah Park, Head of Operations at Age Concern Hampshire said "We're so grateful to have the B&Q team here again. Having a large group of volunteers has meant so many improvements have been made to our Lockswood centre. The hall has a fresh coat of paint and the garden is blooming. Thank you to the B&Q team for getting stuck in and doing it all with a smile on their faces. It's great to be able to collaborate with an organisation that is aligned with supporting the work we do across Hampshire."

Age Concern Hampshire provides a wide range of services and support for older people across the county, including Care & Wellbeing Centres, Help at Home services, Foot Care clinics, social groups, Information Services and community-based activities designed to reduce loneliness and help people age well and live well. The centre supports older people from the local community through wellbeing activities, social connection and practical support services.

The charity says support from organisations such as B&Q play an important role in helping maintain welcoming, accessible spaces for the people who rely on their services every day.

This year's volunteering activity builds on the previous work between the two organisations, that have enhanced facilities and improved environments for older people attending Age Concern Hampshire centres. The charity hopes to encourage more local businesses and corporate teams to explore how they can support older people in their communities through volunteering, sponsorship or wider collaboration opportunities.

About Age Concern Hampshire:

Founded in 1985, Age Concern Hampshire provide services to the older community of Hampshire. The charity currently deliver support at their Care & Wellbeing centres throughout the county, as well as Foot Care clinics, Help at Home, Information via their Information Hub, Hospital to Home Services, Community Information Volunteer Services and a variety of other activities. Its mission is to help people 'Age well and Live well'.

Tel: 01962 868545

For media enquiries, please email: marketing@ageconcernhampshire.org.uk

To find out more about how to support Age Concern Hampshire or get involved, visit: www.ageconcernhampshire.org.uk

About B&Q:

B&Q is the UK's leading home improvement and garden living retailer with over 300 stores throughout the UK and Ireland, offering great prices, with over 700,000 products available to order at diy.com for home delivery or click and collect.

For trade professionals, B&Q TradePoint offers exclusive membership to those in trades such as electricians, plasterers, fitters, plumbers, roofers, decorators, joiners, tilers, builders, landscapers and facilities and maintenance professionals. TradePoint members have exclusive access to dedicated TradePoint counters at around 200 B&Q stores as well as to Tradepoint.co.uk.

B&Q launched the UK's first home improvement marketplace in March 2022, adding additional choice for consumers. The marketplace offers a unique, integrated experience with in-store returns for many products and Click + Collect options being explored.

Their team of more than 26,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nationwide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They're the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.

Every year, more than 20 million people improve their homes and make life better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable operations and sourcing, and supports our local communities, including funding B&Q Foundation grants and Shelter's DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/community

B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company, operating 1,400 stores in 8 countries across Europe.

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