A brand-new kitchen area has been cooked up at The Arc, providing a new space for community activities, training courses and fundraising to take place within the Greater Manchester recovery community.
Funding for the kitchen project was provided by Equans, who have an ongoing community partnership with The Arc. Thanks to their support, the kitchen was transformed from out of date to fresh in just three days.
Hayley Boff, Business Development Manager at The Calico Group, said: “Before, the kitchen was tired and dated. It’s now fresh and clean, giving the staff and service users a safer and more enjoyable space to work from”.
The idea for a new kitchen started last year, when Equans visited The Arc to present a novelty cheque for a garden project. Both teams got talking about the kitchen and how improvements could help make the community hub a better space for everyone.
Heath Dean, ARC Support Worker, added: “Whenever we need to host a fundraising event, the kitchen is a God send. It really allows us to earn money to help other people.
“My colleague Paula also runs a women’s cooking group from the kitchen. Everyone is really enjoying and benefitting from the new space”.
The Arc’s ongoing partnership with Equans started through the North Manchester Business Network.
Over the last few years, Equans have helped The Arc with numerous projects, including a £5000 donation for increased digital inclusion support such as laptops and training workshops.
The also funded sustainability initiatives at The Arc, including bee hives and their wellbeing garden.
Hayley continued: “Equans are brilliant, flexible and accommodating, we’re so grateful for their ongoing help and partnership. Everyone at The Arc does amazing work for the community”.
The Arc, run by the Calico Group, is a safe and welcoming community hub in North Manchester where groups and projects have the space to work together by providing services and support both in the community and within the criminal justice system.
One of The Arc’s main focuses is on providing a safe space for those struggling with drug and/or alcohol addiction as well as those in recovery to get support and overcome the variety of barriers they may face.
