In April, a team of Harris colleagues volunteered their time to support a local YMCA housing project. The YMCA is an essential charity that provides accommodation and essential support for individuals who are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.
Our focus was on improving the communal areas within a three-storey building, brightening and refreshing the shared corridors to create a more welcoming and positive space for the residents.
Our dedicated volunteers got stuck in, helping repaint corridors across all three floors. The original walls were painted in a mix of strong colours, so the task involved a lot of whitewashing and multiple coats to achieve a lighter, cleaner feel throughout. It was a collaborative effort, with our team working alongside both YMCA staff and residents on the day.
As a business built around decorating and home improvement, we firmly believe everyone deserves a space they can feel comfortable and proud of, especially those who are facing challenging circumstances. That’s why initiatives that let us use our tools to paint for charity are so important to us
Supporting local housing and homelessness initiatives allows us to put our beliefs into action in a practical way. We get to use our skills, products, and time to offer support to charities like the YMCA and give back to the communities around us.
We aimed to make a noticeable difference to a space that residents use every single day - and the transformation of the corridors has already made them feel considerably brighter. Beyond the physical change, working alongside the team and residents helped to foster a sense of shared ownership and community - an outcome that’s just as important as the painting itself.
We’re keen to build on this fantastic experience and create more opportunities for our colleagues to get involved in local community projects. Volunteering is an area we’d like to continue growing, especially in initiatives where we can use specific skills and products to make a meaningful difference.
Do you have a project or charity initiative where Harris might be able to lend a hand? Get in touch with us and let us know!
