Member Article

Housebuilder’s MD gives Hampshire counselling centre a new lease of life

A team of workers from Barratt Homes’ Southampton Division, including Managing Director, James Dunne, have helped to give Hampshire mental health charity’s counselling centre a new lick of paint.

The army of volunteers from the leading national housebuilder headed to Off the Record’s headquarters in Havant with paintbrushes and spent the day refreshing the walls of its counselling rooms.

Off the Record has been supporting young people’s mental health across the region since 1977, and Vicki Riou, Volunteer Coordinator and Business Support Officer, said she is thrilled with the developer’s help. “Our counselling rooms have been in desperate need of a makeover for some time. The Barratt volunteers did a great job. All four of our rooms have been transformed along with our waiting area, and have all been well received by our staff, volunteers, and the young people we support.

“Nothing was too much trouble for the Barratt team, and they also went above and beyond by helping us return some of our heavier items back to their original homes once the decorating was complete. We’re all hugely grateful.”

James Dunne said: “We want to support charities in the communities where we are building new homes, and Off the Record is providing a fantastic service for young people in the local area. It has been a real pleasure to help today.”

Off the Record opened its doors to young people in 1977 to help support them through difficult periods in their lives – mostly anxiety, and family and relationships issues, but also anger, low self-esteem, and low mood. As part of its services, the charity now offers counselling sessions from its centre in Leigh Park, as well as over Zoom. 

Barratt Homes is building new homes across the region. It is committed to supporting local causes, and its employees are all entitled to two days per year to take as volunteering days. 

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Barratt Homes .