Local charity hall gets upgrade

A charity-run hall in Hertford has received a much-needed upgrade after housebuilder Durkan Homes stepped in to install new heating and lighting.

Pioneer Hall in Ware Road is used by Futurehope for an after school drop in cafe, giving young people a safe place to go and play games or relax with their friends.

The funding for the project came from Durkan Homes' community fund, which was launched in 2023, offering financial support to eligible applicants in Hertfordshire who are delivering work or specific projects that benefit their local communities.

Durkan Homes enlisted the help of Ware-based Laser Electrical Central, the sub-contractors on their Granary & Chapel development, to undertake the work on the hall. The improvements, including the installation of new heaters and more energy efficient lighting, means that it is now also a viable space for the charity to provide for community groups, with donations for usage supplementing their income and helping to fund their work in the local area.

Bill Beyzade, Managing Director at Durkan Homes, commented: "As a Hertfordshire-based business ourselves, it’s important for us to support organisations that operate in the area we call home. Our work as a housebuilder puts us at the heart of local communities and our fund allows us to enhance the areas in which we operate, and support good causes locally."

"We want to say a massive thank you to Laser Electrical Central for completing this project, which has helped Futurehope continue the vital work they are doing with young people. We look forward to seeing what they will do with their improved facilities."

Dave Hollis at Futurehope added: "While Pioneer Hall is a great space for the work we do as a charity, it was in desperate need of some upgrades so that it could be used to its full potential. As a small, local charity it can be hard to get funding for projects of this size, so we're really grateful to Durkan Homes and Laser Electrical Central for all the hard work they’ve put into improving our hall."

"Durkan Homes' community fund is a great support for smaller organisations such as ours, and we would thoroughly recommend others consider applying too."

Futurehope has been supporting teenagers for twenty years by providing an after school drop in youth club, together with a programme of one-to-one mentoring and educational sessions in local schools. The orghanisation also has a converted minibus that visits Hertford and Ware on Friday nights, giving young people a warm place to get off the streets and have something to eat and drink.