Rydon helps Islington’s homeless Shelter From The Storm


March 2016

Rydon, working together with its subcontractor partners, has provided an Islington homeless shelter with a makeover to help it maintain good quality facilities for its residents in need.

Staff and subcontractors from the nearby Packington estate regeneration scheme provided a complete redecoration to the front of the building, fixed the heating and hot water systems, refurbished the bathrooms that were in need of attention and refurbished the shelter’s storage facilities, which contain clothing and everyday items.

At any one time up to 44 people can call Shelter From The Storm home. 30-40% of this number are in work, but are unable to find anywhere affordable to live in the local area.

Shelter From The Storm was established in 2007 and is a completely free emergency night shelter providing a bed, dinner and breakfast and is funded by donations alone.

The work was carried out by Rydon, who brought together subcontractors from the nearby project to regenerate the Packington Estate. These included A&B Decorators, Stanmore Ltd, Watkins, Toga Hire and Falcon Green, who each kindly offered their operatives free of charge and with A&B Decorators also supplying all the paint to carry out the task.

Watkins carried out repair works and re-commissioned the boilers that were breaking down, providing heating and hot water, particularly important during the colder months. Toga Hire provided two access towers to enable the works to be carried out more efficiently.

As well as helping to ensure Shelter From The Storm maintains a high quality building for its residents, the refurbished facilities can now be used to encourage further investment from other supporters over the long term.

Sheila Scott, CEO and Co-Founder of Shelter From The Storm, commented:

“At Shelter From The Storm we feel that homeless people are very much part of the community in Islington. We were delighted when local man Sham McBride of Rydon contacted us with exactly the same view and asked if there was anything Rydon could do to help a less fortunate sector of the Islington community.”  

“Within a couple of weeks they’d painted the front of our building, decorated our loos and showers and arranged for the repair and servicing of our central heating system. This not only represents a considerable cash saving for us but a lovely feeling of partnership with our neighbours.”

Sham McBride, Senior Site Manager for Rydon, who brought everyone together to enable the make over to happen added: “On behalf of Rydon and Sheila who runs Shelter From The Storm I would like to thank everyone who carried out the tasks for what has turned out to be a great success to make a lasting difference and give something back to the community.”

“I really appreciate your support and your response and willingness to help a great charity that totally relies on people like yourselves.”

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