Partnership delivers vital repair for St Luke’s Church Hall
We’ve just wrapped up a brilliant bit of partnership work that shows what we can achieve when we all pull together for our community.
St Luke’s Church in Benchill reached out to our Community Development team earlier this year, asking for help after they discovered the roof on their community hall needed serious attention. Reverand Ian Fellows had already gathered some quotes, but they came in at around £20,000.
The request was added to the team’s Community Chest – a programme which matches community asks with offers from our supply chain – and shared with our Wythenshawe Works office.
The Community Chest is a great resource for the community, but it’s not instantaneous. Each match is carefully brokered by our Community Development team, who negotiate with suppliers, shape proposals and bring everyone together to make sure each project is realistic and has real impact.
From here, the team worked with Dave Irlam, our Project Manager, and brought in our flat-roofing contractor, DLP Building Services Ltd., to look at the site. It was clear that the initial quoted amount from another contractor would only offer a short-term fix, likely lasting no more than five years.
A proper, long-lasting repair was estimated at closer to £60,000 – a big jump, but the right step for a safe and welcoming space the whole community relies on.
DLP stepped up and offered to do the full repair as part of their social value contribution for the work they do with us. It’s a huge gesture, and one that fits perfectly with how we and our partners support local people every day.
The repair is now complete, and the hall has a roof that will last for years to come!
Dave Irlam, our Project Manager, shared: “Thanks to DLP, the church is protected from weather damage and can continue to serve as a safe, welcoming space for community groups. This restoration strengthens the sense of pride and continuity within the community, ensuring the building remains a central hub. It also demonstrates what can be achieved when people come together for a shared purpose.”
Reverend Ian shared: “I’m absolutely thrilled to have this work done; it’s a huge weight off the shoulders and the minds of the parochial church council. To be able to keep on supplying an affordable place for the people of Wythenshawe, to keep on meeting and following their interests, that’s been the most brilliant thing.”
Councillor Tracey Rawlins added: “It would’ve been such a loss if we’d had to close the hall completely, but DLP have been brilliant. They’ve worked around groups, we haven’t had to close at all, so it’s just brilliant to know that this is now secure for the next 20, 25 years.
Gary Warrington, Managing Director at DLP, said: “We’re really proud of what we’ve achieved at St Luke’s. It wasn’t just a roof replacement for us. It was a chance for us to put our social value into action and support a building that means so much to the local community.”
You can view a short video about the project on our YouTube here.
If your team has something to offer – or if there’s a group out there that could use some help – let our Community Development team know by emailing communitydevelopment@wchg.org.uk. We’re always on the lookout for new matches!
