DIY SOS unveils latest renovation for BBC Children in Need
BBC One show was helped by local volunteers to transform Blackpool young carers centre.
Today (20th July 2016) BBC television’s most popular building series, DIY SOS, unveiled the renovation of a local young carers centre. The transformation was one of the show’s most ambitious and heartfelt projects to date and will be documented in ‘DIY SOS: The Big Build BBC Children in Need special’ (working title) when the show airs on BBC One in mid-November.
The property, Blenheim House, is owned by Blackpool Carers Centre, a charity which receives BBC Children in Need funding to provide out-of-school respite and training activities as well as peer support for young carers. With the help of over 250 supporters donating materials, resources and time, the building was transformed from a run-down, neglected Victorian house, into an inspiring and homely base for young carers.
The generosity and tireless hard work of the volunteers enabled the team to deliver a renovation boasting a beautiful garden and a bold décor. The new centre combines creativity and tranquillity to provide a space where children and young people with caring responsibilities can enjoy their childhoods.
Nick Knowles, DIY SOS presenterI have been blown away by the amount of energy and support we’ve received by the people of Blackpool. Seeing businesses, trades and volunteers come together to help in any way they can has been truly heart-warming. What an incredible sense of community this coastal town has! I am proud to present this fantastic building to these most deserving children and young people and thank everyone that helped – this would simply not have been possible without you
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, TV presenter and Blackpool Illuminations creative curator who also designed the interior of the centre, commented: “I’ve loved being a part of this project. For me the most important thing was creating an interior that would capture the imaginations of the young carers. To achieve this I drew upon design stimuli from around the world to produce an interior which bursts with colour, contemporary art, energy and creativity. I hope these selfless children and young people with caring responsibilities are able to enjoy this space and, within it, find the inspiration to reach their full potential.”
Michelle Smith, CEO of Blackpool Carers Centre, added: “We sincerely thank DIY SOS, BBC Children in Need and everyone else that has been involved. We are astonished by the efforts of the team, people who have donated materials and volunteers; the support has been beyond what we could have ever imagined. This renovation will enable us to help improve the lives of more children and young people with caring responsibilities who are in need of our support both now and in the years to come.”
