Volunteers from the local community were on hand to help paint Burnside Community Centre in Langley, Middleton as part of a week-long refurbishment by Riverside, Bagnalls, Evolve and AkzoNobel.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale – Mr Ian Duckworth and Mrs Christine Duckworth came along today to have a look around the newly decorated building and show their support for the project.

The refurbishment project is part of the Bagnalls Community Paintbrush scheme, which supports local community centres with painters and materials to help with decorating. While Riverside, Evolve and Akzonobel contributed by supplying paint, fence panels and volunteers.

The centre which has been open since 1969 as part of the outreach service for All Saints and Martyrs Church in Langley, is at the heart of the community and delivers projects around health and wellbeing and offers activities like karate, drama and ballet. Riverside use the centre for weekly job clubs to help local people find training and employment opportunities and the Pathway drug and alcohol service offer a support group three times a week.

Sarah Paton, Regional Director at Riverside said: “Our customers use the centre, it is the hub of the community giving them opportunities to meet others and take part in activities. We want to make sure that the centre continues the work it does, and we were happy to take part in the decorating activities over the last week by getting some of our customers to volunteer.”

Kieran Jones, Business Development Manager from Bagnalls said: “Bagnalls Painters are proud to be a part of a project such as this, one which allows us to help a local hub and important centre in need of rejuvenation.

“Centre’s such as Burnside are the beating heart of tight knit communities like the one here in Middleton, and the work which they do with local groups and charities is fantastic. After working with local residents, as well as Riverside & Dulux on this project, we encourage them to utilise this centre as much as they can. To keep their ears to the floor with local events and get involved wherever possible to help keep this place going.”