Talbot in the community with DIYSOS and Children in Need

We joined with many skilled trades, volunteers and suppliers on this project. The DIY SOS team created a purpose-built centre that will welcome children and put them at ease from the moment they step through the doors. The team built counselling rooms and a bespoke communal area. This will help provide crucial support to children and their families facing bereavement.

Project planning to the usual high standard

Our engagement involved significant planning of materials, time and labour. Coordinating our work in a busy multi contractor environment, high standards of HSQE were applied including during the TV filming – that’s full PPE (Hi-vis, hardhats and steel toe-capped boots) and no mention of make up for the cameras!).

Specifically we brought landscaping equipment and resources to support the building of soft landscape areas, planting of trees and shrubs and laying of new turf.

Some familiar faces and a bit of fun

Our team where then at Risley to celebrate the epic reveal with Nick Knowles the purple shirt team from DIYS0S, Scott Mills the popular BBC Radio2 DJ and of course Pudsey.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor surprised the volunteers and trades with a celebratory Kitchen Disco.

Nick Knowles said: “The last ten days have been no mean feat; this build was huge and really tested us. The generosity and passion of the local community and beyond really got us through. Seeing the faces of the Treetops team when the new building was revealed was a really special moment. Everyone has put so much hard work into this build, giving up their own time to accomplish this brilliant new building for Treetops Hospice – providing a safe, comforting space for families at a time when they need it most. A huge thank you to everyone involved.”

BBC Children in Need have supported the hospice since 2010 with funding that has provided counselling to hundreds of bereaved children and families.

The funding currently supports children going through traumatic bereavement, helping them to improve their mental health and wellbeing and develop skills to cope with their grief.

Treetops has been supporting families for over 40 years. We are now recognised as a centre of excellence for children’s counselling.

Jules Kirk, Therapeutic Services Manager at Treetops, said: “Seeing our incredible new building for the first time was something we won’t ever forget. We cannot put into words the difference that it will make to the children and families we support”.