 | | Youngsters at Handsworth Day Care centre |
Barclays branch managers from across Birmingham, working alongside CSV and Groundwork braved the wet weather and took part in a Make a Difference Day at Handsworth Day Care Centre, St Peter’s Road on Wednesday 11th October. The centre is used as a crèche and an after school facility for children in the local area. There are two long back yards behind the day centre that have fallen into disrepair and parts cannot be used by the children.  | | Barclays volunteers get stuck into the sandpit |
The team of 18 volunteers spent the day digging and laying a new sandpit area and kitted out a newly installed craft shed with brand new furniture so the children can now play outdoors in safety. The day was part of a BBC WM and CSV three week Make a Difference Day campaign based in Lozells and Handsworth, highlighting the positive work that's going on in the area. See highlights from the dayWatch video highlights and take a look through a picture gallery of the team hard at work throughout the day. See the highlights below, We’re pleased we’ve made a difference. | | Working hard |
Barclays supports the national Make A Difference Day annual campaign and 15 branch managers from across Birmingham including Soho Road, city centre, Harbourne, Bearwood and Sparkbrook. Soho Road branch manager Gail Harris explained: “We have a community division that finds projects each year for Make a Difference Day. All over the country Barclays volunteers are involved in similar projects. “It’s about us getting out in the communities we work in and it also helps us get to know our customers. “We got a bit wet but we had a lot of fun.” CSV calls for action | | Gail Harris and Maggie Smith working together |
CSV (Community Service Volunteers) runs several campaigns throughout the year. Make a Difference Day gets people volunteering to make a difference in their community. BBC WM runs a CSV action desk that highlights local campaigns for people to get involved in. Maggie Smith is the CSV producer on BBC WM and helped co-ordinate the volunteering day at Handsworth Day Care Centre: Maggie says: “CSV promotes volunteering and life long learning and encourages people to get out and about in their community to help each other.  | | Play time at Handsworth Day Care Centre |
"It’s marvellous when a group of people from different backgrounds come together. It’s amazing what you can achieve.” A taste of the CaribbeanThe group of volunteers were treated to a huge Caribbean lunch by centre manager Ena Burke.
Ena said: “The group of volunteers worked really hard all day even in the rain. The lunch was to say a big thank you from the children and centre staff. “It’s fanastic what they’ve achieved in one day and we’re really grateful, the children will enjoy playing in the sandpit and craft shed.” Thank you BBC WM listeners | | Jenny Jones and Maggie smith, BBC WM |
Throughout the day BBC WM listeners received regular live updates from the day care centre to find out how the volunteers were getting on. After an appeal on the ED Doolan morning programme local listeners got involved by kindly donating a mallet and three outdoor canopies. Making a difference in Lozells and Handsworth on BBC WMAs part of the annual national Make A Difference Day, BBC WM together with CSV are rolling their sleeves up over three weeks to make a difference to three community projects in the Handsworth and Lozells area. Stay tuned to BBC WM on 95.6FM and DAB digital radio to follow the progress of the projects. Read more about the campaign > Handsworth Day Care Centre (charity registered)
32 -34 St Peter Road
Handsworth
Birmingham, B20 3RR
Tel no: 0121 523 7578 | 
