Come on & decorate

Sometimes there are projects that are more necessary than you could have ever realised. They are often the things you've been putting off because they are less than urgent but they can often have the most surprising of reactions...

Back in the middle of 2009, there was a training workshop at Urban Saints and when we arrived there were all these craft items and props waiting for us. We all thought they were going to be utilised in the activities of the day but it turned out they were just there as creative stimulation (at best, and to fiddle with at worst!). This sparked off a whole series of events that led to 3 of the staff team giving up our Saturday for a clandestine redecorating job in the Support Centre at Kestin House.

Walls were daubed red, floors were cleaned and everything was just given a fresh touch. A bit of Ikea furniture here and some rearranging of chairs there (not to mention the application of some kids games and activities from our cavernous stores to bring a touch of fun to the place!) and the office environment was transformed. All while our Trustees and Directors met to discuss the future of Urban Saints.

As far as we were concerned the timing was no coincidence. We planned the make-over as a nice surprise for the team, with as few people in on it as possible. As it turned out, the rest of the team saw it as no coincidence either. On Monday morning the changes and updates were met with unanimous approval and many heartfelt "thank you"s. Matt went as far as to say it was one (along with some great new supporters coming on board and the excellent Trustees meeting) part of a real sense of a new exciting season in Urban Saints...

All for a couple of tins of paint and some imagination! The really great thing, though, is that it's inspired us now and this is just the beginning, so watch this space.