EnviroVent Help BBC's DIY SOS Refurbish Youth Centre

EnviroVent Help BBC's DIY SOS Refurbish Youth Centre

By Ruth MacEachern

Product Manager

Harrogate based ventilation manufacturer, EnviroVent, teamed up with various companies and tradesmen to help refurbish the Norris Green Youth Centre as part of a special edition of the BBC’s DIY SOS: The Big Build for Children in Need. The youth centre, which is in one of the most deprived areas of Liverpool suffering from high unemployment, high crime rates and gang violence, opens seven days a week and is very popular with local children and young people.

Originally built in 1959 as an Old Boys’ Club, the Norris Green Youth Centre has often been referred to as two aircraft hangers placed side by side. In order to bring the buildings up to today’s standards a great deal of work had to be completed in a very short space of time. The project, which under normal circumstances would take six to eight months to complete, had to be completed in just nine days with the final unveiling of the new look youth centre on day ten.

What’s more, a refurbishment on this scale would normally cost around a £1m so the project relied heavy on the commitment and generosity of local tradesmen and companies. EnviroVent donated and installed the ventilation systems for the 1,800 sq ft site. The company sent a team of three to carry out the work which comprised of installations director Darren Chadwick and two national installations managers, Alan Bradbury and Clark Stanley-Jones.

The studio and music rooms were fitted with a Positive Input Ventilation Units and as these were mounted on an external wall no ductwork was needed. The two toilet areas were fitted with Mechanical Extract Ventilation (MEV) Spiders complete with innovative control options.

Darren said “We fitted the MEV Spiders in the voids of the ‘hanger style’ roofs. These units are ideal for area such as these where space is restricted. The MEV Spiders are compact and very versatile, they can be installed in any vertical or horizontal position on a wall, ceiling or in a loft space.” Darren added.“I am really proud that EnviroVent has been involved in a project that will have such a positive impact on the local community. The youth centre will now be free from condensation and mould thanks to the units which provide a constant source of fresh, filtered air resulting in a healthy indoor environment all year round.”

The centre is seen as a cornerstone within the local community offering young people the opportunity to develop skills that will equip them for life and provide a positive route to further education, employment and their role within society.

EnviroVent was delighted to be approached by Liverpool Mutual Homes (LMH) housing association, with whom they have built a long standing ‘partner contractor’ relationship over the last few years, to volunteer its services for the DIY SOS Big Build: Norris Green Youth Centre Project for Children in Need.

The programme is due to be aired on BBC1 at 9pm on 10 November and again on 18 November for Children in Need.