Selco Makes Allotment Dream Become Reality

​A leading Birmingham builders merchant has helped create a new outdoor space for families from children’s charity Barnardo’s to enjoy.

The Tyseley branch of Selco Builders Warehouse has donated all the materials to transform an allotment at Yardley District Children’s Centre, a site managed by Barnardo’s.

The project was overseen by youngsters aged between 16 and 25 who are part of the Prince’s Trust 12 Week Team Programme, supported by officers from Acocks Green Police Station.

The work on an allotment near Fox Hollies Children’s Centre has seen six raised beds and a sheltered area created, benches built and the shed on site painted.

PCSO Stephen McGrath, who led the team along with PCSO Poppy Merrick, said: “This is a real community project which will provide new attractions for an important facility and was carried out by an enthusiastic group of youngsters, supported by West Midlands Police.

“As soon as the Prince’s Trust team was made aware of the fact that their work would provide a new outside space for the families from Barnardo’s, they couldn’t wait to get to work.

“Funding has been difficult because we couldn’t stage our usual cake sales, shopping bag packing sessions and other fundraising activities due to coronavirus, but Selco Tyseley put its support behind the project and we couldn’t be more grateful.

“There is now a fantastic outdoor space in place where families can grow, educate, learn and have fun together.”

David Wiseman, branch manager of Selco Tyseley which donated products including sleepers, soil and pallets, said: “We have had a long association with the Prince’s Trust and we were only too happy to lend our support in this latest project.“It’s so important to create engaging outdoor spaces for families and the work carried out at Fox Hollies Children’s Centre is a real boost to the local community, especially at such a difficult time for everyone.”