QVC helps Barnardo’s brighten up the lives of local kids

Posted on: 09th July 2010

Employees from QVC, the Knowsley based television shopping channel, have made a real difference to the lives of disadvantaged local children

by completing volunteer projects through Barnardo’s, one of the UK’s leading children’s charities. Teams from the Call Centre, Facilities and HR departments have been involved in the projects, renovating the Barnardo’s Contact Centre in West Derby and helping a local family by funding and completing the repair and renovation of their home.

The Call Centre and Facilities teams spent four days transforming three rooms of the Barnardo’s Contact Centre, with startling results. James Keegan, Call Centre General Manager and one of the volunteer team, said: “I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved both as individuals and representatives of QVC. Over 40 children every week will now have the benefit of a wonderful environment.”

Meanwhile, the HR team has created a better home environment for a family nominated by Barnardo’s, raising £1,800 through activities such as cake sales, raffles, tombolas and even a sky dive, before paying for and completing the home makeover, which took three days and a total of 26 QVC employees.

The team created new bedrooms for the children, including newly painted walls, new furniture, curtains and even new pyjamas. They also installed a fence in the garden, with a special area for the family dog and made arrangements for the stairs and landing to be carpeted and laminate flooring to be laid in the hall and living room – a job completed by the local housing trust (LHT).

Angela Pickavant, Human Resources Advisor, QVC, said: “The team worked so hard for three days but there were no complaints from anyone and the looks on the kids’ faces when they saw their new rooms made it all worthwhile. Their Mum has worked really hard to improve the quality of life for her family but she needed an extra helping hand. We were delighted to do what we could to make their living environment more comfortable, plus it was fantastic for team building, giving us an opportunity to spend time together outside the workplace.”

QVC had support from other local businesses including Orion Paints, Knowsley Laminates & Hardwood Flooring, The Bed Factory, Jamie Wiggins, Carpet Fitters of Knowsley and Richie's Floor Fitting Services.