Earlier in July, Portakabin contributed to a project to build a forever home for a fully inclusive Performing Arts school ‘True Colours’ in Wallsend, which was featured earlier this week on the BBC One series ‘DIY SOS: The Big Build’.
True Colours teach dance and theatre skills to 500 children and young adults weekly, many of whom have additional learning needs, and is the North East’s fully inclusive theatre company and school.
What started small is now mighty, with the charity winning both local and national awards for their incredible work. However, their success meant that they had completely outgrown their existing space and were having to turn away new members with a long waiting list. They were given the keys to a run-down old boys’ club in Wallsend, which had potential but no electricity, heating, natural light, or disabled access and as a small charity they had limited funds to renovate it.
Their derelict new but old building was in a dire state, desperately in need of work so that ‘True Colours’ could continue their journey. DIY SOS: The Big Build was able to come to the rescue.
As Portakabin offer all employees the opportunity to take one volunteering day per year, when a call out was made for volunteers, trades and supplies, Portakabin wanted to do everything they could to help True Colours.
As well as providing a number of volunteers to help setup for the build, Portakabin provided six storage containers and three fitted out office buildings.
Jason King, Project Coordinator within the Site Accommodation team commented: “I absolutely loved this project! I have felt really proud of how much we have gone above and beyond. I was able to speak directly to the charity, True Colours who were fully aware of the work we had done, and even offered an opportunity for me to come along to the new centre before it opens with my daughter. It was an amazing feeling!”.