A Kent charity which provides care, support and working opportunities for more than 100 people aged 16 and over with learning and other disabilities, has continued the transformation of its site – thanks to a Crayford builders merchant.

Spadework, which is based in Offham, has a unique five-acre site which hosts a café, farm shop, garden centre and vegetable patch – all of which are part-run by the trainees, and open to the general public.

The site has been further spruced up for summer thanks to the Crayford branch of Selco Builders Warehouse, the fastest growing builders merchant in the UK, through its partnership with national charity Global’s Make Some Noise.

Selco has donated thousands of pounds of materials, including slabs, cement, sand and planters, to help transform the outdoor seating area between the café and the garden centre.

Selco is an official partner of Global’s Make Some Noise, a national charity that funds and empowers projects across the UK, helping children, young people and their families living with illness, disability or lack of opportunity.

Kris Healey, chief executive officer of Spadework, said: “The help that Selco has provided has been a real game-changer for us.

“The area needed some work and receiving all the raw materials from Selco free of charge was an incredible gesture.

“Our trainees are at the heart of everything we do and they were involved in carrying out the work to create what is now a stunning patio area.

“Not only is it a popular seating area for members of the public visiting us and a showcase for a number of our plants, it also enables our trainees to carry out sessions with schools and groups of vulnerable people from the local area, passing on the skills they have learned.

“We are all extremely grateful for the support Selco has provided.”

An average of 46 trainees visit Spadework every weekday, with more than 73,000 hours of support and care provided in the last 12 months.

Darryl Munday, branch manager of Selco Crayford which is based on Kennet Road, said: “Spadework is one of the fantastic small charities supported by Global’s Make Some Noise, which delivers outstanding work in the local community. We are honoured to help them and proud to work with Global’s Make Some Noise to make a difference to young lives.

“You can see how much the trainees enjoy coming to Spadework every day and to be able to play a small part in improving the environment they attend gives a real sense of pride.”

With hundreds of trade brands always in stock and open seven days and for a minimum of 80 hours per week, Selco’s 66 UK branches are firmly focused on helping tradespeople complete their jobs as quickly and effectively as possible.

As well as offering trade services and a café in branch, Selco also has a strong digital presence including Click ‘N’ Deliver, a 30 minute Click & Collect service and a free Project List app which allows tradespeople to plan, manage and quote for all jobs – as well as complete purchases – through their smartphone.