Working with Exeter City Council, Mears Group volunteers spent two weeks building the shelter for residents to socialise and take part in activities together. As well as donating time to the project, materials were funded by the Mears Foundation, the company’s charitable arm, and the council.

Mears’ contractors also supported the build, with Buildbase and Roman Glass donating materials, and Enviro-Tec supporting the project donating time, machinery, and materials.

During the Southlands project, the Mears Exeter team were also joined by a group of 14-18-year-old secondary school pupils on work experience. The five pupils, from schools across the city, completed a community volunteering initiative which saw them decorate Sylvania Stores, a not-for-profit community store and café.

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Hayley McGrath, Mears Group Customer Success Co-ordinator, said:

I want to thank the fantastic team who worked so hard to complete the build and battled some terrible weather to deliver something which will bring such huge benefits to the people who live there. We are always looking at how we can further support the communities we work in, and this project is a fantastic example of how we can come together with our partners and contractors to deliver something great. We were so pleased to be able to also complete another community project at the same time, and I want to congratulate the young people on their success in decorating Sylvania Stores and Cafe and thank them for their enthusiasm and hard work. Inspiring the next generation of tradespeople is important to us and we are thrilled that in this instance we could do this while also helping such a fantastic cause.

Cllr Barbara Denning, Lead Councillor for Council Housing Development and Support Services, said:

Mears has done a wonderful job creating a welcoming space for the residents, and the project will no doubt have a positive impact on the wellbeing of the local residents of Southlands for years to come.

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