Staff volunteers from Hammerson plc used their annual ‘community day’ to volunteer and do some much-needed DIY work at Barnet Homes’ Domestic Violence refuge.
In February, due to being the recipient of 100k worth of funding from the Department of Communities and Local Government, the Domestic Violence refuge is able to remain open for another year. However, the refuge was in some need of decorating on the inside and clearing in the back garden.
The team of Hammerson staff volunteers included Mark Bourgeois, Managing Director for UK and Ireland who turned out to be very handy in the garden.
Mark said he and his team felt really good to be able to give something back to such an extremely important initiative like the refuge.
It was Barnet Homes’ Assistant Director of Operations, Kate Laffan’s first visit to the refuge. She said: “Every 3 days a woman is killed by her partner or ex-partner. Domestic violence, she said, “cuts across all backgrounds. It’s also one of the most under reported crimes.”
There were also volunteers from our repairs contractors Mears who came to completely re-decorate the main reception room in the refuge, which is communal.
The residents of the refuge were not present during this flurry of decorating activity at the refuge they were treated to a recreational afternoon with their children by Hammerson so volunteers could finish their work in transforming sections of the refuge.
The 6-bed refuge provides vital support for victims of domestic violence borough launched by Barnet Homes in 2015, with partners including Solace Women’s Aid, funded by Barnet Council.
Hammerson plc is a major manager and developer of retail destinations throughout Europe. They are currently redeveloping Brent Cross Shopping Centre.