A local community church is celebrating after volunteers refurbished the kitchen and public toilet, making it more accessible and functional for visitors.

A team of skilled tradespeople from PHS Solutions, in Houghton-le-Spring, volunteered their time and donated items to St Luke’s Church, in Pallion, to upgrade the communal kitchen and toilet, helping to improve facilities and support the wider delivery of community wellbeing programmes.

The kitchen was fully re-decorated, with cupboards being realigned, plinths and taps replaced and a new hob installed.

The downstairs toilet also underwent some changes, benefitting from a new toilet, basin, full redecoration and flooring.

Pictured at St Luke's Centre, in Pallion, is Lian Maltas, from St Luke's Centre, Aiden Graham, Chris Hall and Michelle Johnson from PHS, and Marie Wisson and Sharon Lowes from SVSA. Photo credit Helen Smith Photography.

placeholder image — Pictured at St Luke's Centre, in Pallion, is Lian Maltas, from St Luke's Centre, Aiden Graham, Chris Hall and Michelle Johnson from PHS, and Marie Wisson and Sharon Lowes from SVSA. Photo credit Helen Smith Photography.

Lisa Coverdale, head of customer experience at PHS Solutions, said: “When we found out that St Luke’s needed some refurbishment works undertaken, we didn’t hesitate to get involved.”

She continued: “We are committed to investing in the local communities where we operate and volunteering is a way of giving back.

"It also provides our employees with opportunities to apply their technical skills, and working together with the church and the local community, it created a strong sense of shared purpose.”

PHS Solutions reached out to the Sunderland Voluntary Sector Alliance (SVSA), a local infrastructure support charity, to find out which organisations across Sunderland needed support.

PHS Solutions carried out the works on behalf of housing association company Gentoo, which involves delivering refurbishment works in customers’ homes.

Lian Maltas, centre manager, said: “I would like to say a massive thank you to PHS. Our facilities have been given a fresh look with important upgrades that will help people of all ages in our community.

"Our venue is a lifeline for elderly persons in the Pallion area, and these new facilities will assist us in providing a safe and accessible space for all.

"We run a men's group, a lunch club, exercise classes, yoga and more. These activities help the community to become happier and healthier in themselves.”

Marie Wisson, community and corporate volunteering coordinator at SVSA, said: “We are delighted to have been able to match and introduce PHS Solutions and St Luke’s.

"Pallion is an area where support is not merely beneficial but vital.”