Earlier this year, we gave away £250,000 to community projects across the UK through our Building Better Communities competition. We recently visited The Clarke Lister Feel Good centre in Seaham, who won £4,000 of the prize fund.
Back in the summer 1996 Clarke Lister the 10 year old son of Carole and Brian, was living a normal happy 10 year olds life. Unexpectedly, he collapsed to the floor. Clarke had gone into a coma due to a brain haemorrhage and sadly did not wake. Carol was determined to get answers as to how this happened and what causes a haemorrhage. She found there was a chance of recovery in her research but a huge part of the recovery process relies on social interaction, friendship, self-confidence and general feeling of purpose and wellbeing. This is where the Feel Good Centre comes into play.
Having already set up the Clarke Lister Brain Haemorrhage Foundation, where research is conducted into the causes of Brain Haemorrhages, Carole Lister took on a local community building in 2015 called the Clarke Lister Feel Good Centre. The centre is a community building used by the local area for various activities including; children’s classes and bingo nights amongst other activities in a safe environment – with a main focus on combatting isolation and promoting independence for all.
Set up by Carole Lister, a real inspiration to the local area, the building is being transformed into more than just a community centre. Carole envisages the centre to become a hub and central space for the community to come together. Plans have already been put into place to include an assisted exercise suite for those with muscular, mobility and neurological challenges.
As part of Saint-Gobain’s International Environmental Health and Safety initiative, one of our Area Directors, Dave Farrow gathered up some troops to offer even more support to overhaul the neglected outdoor space at the centre. 58 volunteers and 3 days later, mission landscape was a success. The garden area has now been transformed ensuring it is easily accessible with a patio, brand new garden furniture and flower beds. The project also brought together various customers and suppliers including ESH Group’s Lumsden and Carroll, Ms Ground Works, Apollo, Marshalls, James Jones, SPAX, Nationwide and JBT.
Dave Farrow commented “This is an amazing family that have been hit by a tragedy that I cannot comprehend. Despite this, they’ve picked themselves up and have gone looking for answers and along the way, have found more people that need answers and help. Instead of walking past them or pointing them in the direction of help, they have put out their hand, picked them up and took them with the Lister family.”
The next phase of the project will be the refurbishment of the centre; we’ll keep you updated on the progress.
For more information on the Clarke Lister Feel Good Centre and its activities please visit: https://www.buildingbettercommunities.co.uk/submission/the-clarke-lister-feel-good-centre/
