Firm steps in to kit out support centre's kitchen

Jan 13 2010 by Chris Knox, The Journal

A HOME interiors company has stepped in to help a support centre for people with a disability and will provide it with a new £13,000 kitchen - free of charge.

The Teesside Ability Support Centre, at Acklam Road, Middlesbrough, will benefit from a new learning kitchen courtesy of Court Homemakers, of Portrack Lane, Stockton.

The completely refitted kitchen will incorporate new units, work surfaces and equipment, including the latest design in induction hob, which will offer a high degree of safety for the centre’s staff and members.

Court Homemakers responded to an email from Malcolm Turley, the centre’s general manager of day services, who wrote to potential suppliers asking if they could offer assistance to update the old kitchen after its oven was condemned as unsafe.

Mr Turley said: “We desperately needed to replace the kitchen, which probably dates back to 1967, when the centre was opened.

“Doors are missing, the kitchen is difficult to keep clean and the oven has recently been condemned because the door seal and thermostat have both failed.

“I was hoping to get a discount from a local supplier but Court Homemakers quickly came back, saying they would give us a totally new kitchen and meet the full cost.

“I was delighted. It’s an incredibly generous offer.”

The Ability Support Centre offers care and life skills for 72 members on two sites, the other being All Nations Church in Hemlington.

The kitchen at the Acklam Road site is used by the members, who are aged 19 to 66, for cookery and handicraft activities.

Paul Henderson, director of Court Homemakers, said: “I was brought up about 400 metres from here and used to play on the centre roof when I was a kid, so I felt I had an obligation to help when we received the appeal from Malcolm.

“The centre offers an essential support service to people with differing abilities and their families.”