Firms transform charity’s office

The transformation of the Leeds Community Foundation offices has completed. The project, worth £60,000, saw a team of over 40 volunteers work for three weeks to refurbish the charity’s facilities.

The project, which was led by property business Extentia Group’s fit-out arm, Styles&Wood, and furniture specialist Southerns, saw the team give the Foundation’s office space a new lease of life.

Volunteers from consultant Arcadis and 17 suppliers were also involved and helped replace carpets, paint walls, install new lighting and air conditioning, and complete structural work to extend meeting rooms and relocate break out areas. The volunteers also installed a new kitchen at the 1,800 sq ft office on St Paul’s Street, which is used by the charity’s 19-strong team.

Leeds Community Foundation – TheBusinessDesk.com’s chosen charity of the year – supports thousands of charities and voluntary groups across the city, addressing inequalities and working to create opportunities for those people that need help the most.

They invest in these groups by distributing grants and sharing advice, acting as a catalyst for positive change. The Foundation relies on the generosity of individuals, businesses and public sector organisations to help local people access the support they need, while investing in a brighter future for all.

Karen Devonport, Finance Director at Leeds Community Foundation, said: “Our team work incredibly hard to support charities and community groups working throughout Leeds and Bradford. We were in real need of a vastly improved working environment to enable us to continue our vision to provide a city of opportunity for all.

“We’re extremely grateful to Extentia Group for working with us as part of their Big Challenge this year and to the host of volunteers that banded together to complete the project.”

Tony Lenehan, CEO at Extentia Group, said: “The Big Challenge allows our teams to give something back and it’s been fantastic to support Leeds Community Foundation this year. Buildings are intrinsically linked to wellbeing and performance at work and we hope that the Leeds Community Foundation team enjoy the new space.”