Division News: Facilities, Repair & Maintenance

Gelder Group is proud to support Grimoldby Primary School, Louth, by funding an outdoor learning session at Wild in the Woods through its Facilities Repair and Maintenance department.

The visit gave pupils the opportunity to spend a full day immersed in the natural environment, encouraging outdoor play, exploration and learning in a safe and supportive setting. Activities included woodland play and fishing at the lake, allowing children to experience nature first-hand while building confidence, curiosity and teamwork.

The session was met with overwhelming enthusiasm from the children, with feedback including:

• “It was the best day ever!”
• “I loved being able to play outside. We had so much fun!”
• “Can we go again?”
• “I loved fishing on the lake. We definitely nearly caught one!”

School staff also shared their appreciation for the experience and the impact it had on the pupils:

Honestly it was amazing! It was lovely to see the children being children and learning to take risks in a safe environment. I loved seeing how happy everyone was all day. Thank you so much!

Supporting initiatives like this reflects Gelder Group’s ongoing commitment to social value and to helping local communities access and enjoy the natural environment. By investing in opportunities that promote wellbeing, learning and connection with nature, the Group continues to deliver positive outcomes beyond its core services.

Gelder Group is delighted to have played a part in creating such a memorable experience for the pupils of Grimoldby Primary School and looks forward to continuing its support for community-focused projects across the region.

Gelder Group has reinforced its commitment to supporting local communities this Christmas with a donation of essential toiletry items to Skegness Foodbank & Restore Centre.

The donation comes at a critical time, with foodbanks across the country experiencing increased demand during the festive period. Skegness Foodbank has highlighted ongoing shortages of essential toiletries, with items often being distributed to families the same day they are received.

The boxes of toiletries donated by Gelder Group will help ease this pressure, ensuring the Foodbank can continue to meet the immediate needs of individuals and families in the local community over the coming weeks.

A spokesperson for Skegness Foodbank expressed their gratitude, commenting that the donation arrived “at exactly the right time” and would “keep us going for a while and help us to meet the need in the community.” They also thanked Gelder Group not only for compiling the donations but for personally delivering them, describing the contribution as “making a big difference.”

Gelder Group is proud to support organisations such as Skegness Foodbank, whose work provides vital assistance to those facing hardship, particularly during the winter months. Supporting local charities and community initiatives remains a key part of the Group’s wider social value and corporate responsibility commitments.

Residents at Medlock House in Boston received a welcome boost of festive cheer this Christmas, following a special delivery of Christmas selection boxes from Gelder Group.

Medlock House, a Framework Hub supporting people experiencing homelessness, welcomed the FRM team who visited the service to personally deliver the treats. The visit created a positive and uplifting moment for residents, with one service user proudly taking part in a photo to mark the occasion, having given full consent for its use.

The simple but thoughtful gesture helped to make the Christmas period feel more special for those staying at the hub, many of whom face significant challenges at this time of year. Moments like these can provide comfort, reassurance, and a reminder that they are supported by their wider community.

Framework praised the ongoing generosity shown by Gelder Group and the impact such acts have on the people they support.

Ingrid De Oliveira, Corporate Fundraiser commented:

We’re deeply grateful to our friends at Gelder Group for their incredible generosity and kindness once again. Acts like these truly make a world of difference to the people we support and remind them that they are not alone. Your thoughtfulness will brighten Christmas and bring hope to those experiencing homelessness when hope is most needed.

Gelder Group is proud to continue supporting Framework and its vital work across the region, helping to spread warmth, dignity, and hope during the festive season.

Residents at three Framework Housing locations in Lincoln were treated to a festive surprise this Christmas, thanks to the generosity and community spirit of Facilities, Repair and Maintenance Department (FRM) at Gelder Group.

In the run-up to the Christmas period, the FRM team delivered Christmas selection boxes to residents at Corner House, Pathways and Sincil House, helping to spread seasonal cheer and brighten the winter days. The gesture was warmly received by everyone.

The visits were about more than just the treats. They offered a chance to reinforce the importance of kindness and community at what can be a challenging time of year for some.

“We’re very thankful for the continued kindness shown by our friends at the Gelder Group. Christmas can often be a challenging and lonely time of year for people experiencing homelessness, and gestures like this go a long way to putting smiles on faces and reminding them that there are people who care.” – Matt Cooke, Fundraising Manager.

Gelder Group is proud to support Framework Housing and the vital work they do and would like to thank the Framework Housing teams at each location for their support in making the deliveries possible and wishes all residents a very happy and peaceful Christmas.

Gelder Group is proud to highlight the recent participation of apprentice Holly Kenny at a “Women in Decorating” workshop hosted at PPG’s UK head office.

The event brought together women from across the decorating and coatings sector to take part in a series of interactive workshops focused on addressing barriers, challenging long-standing prejudices, and sharing experiences of working within a traditionally male-dominated industry. These discussions provided valuable insight into how the sector can continue to evolve to attract, support, and retain female talent.

In addition to the workshops, attendees were given an in-depth tour of PPG’s UK manufacturing facility and the opportunity to engage directly with a range of PPG teams, including colour specialists and product experts, gaining first-hand insight into innovation, product development, and industry best practice.

The day concluded with a practical and creative challenge, a “paint the egg” competition, which was won by Gelder Group apprentice Holly Kenny, showcasing both skill and confidence in a supportive professional environment.

Gelder Group is delighted to see its apprentices and staff engaging with industry leaders and taking part in initiatives that promote inclusion, skills development, and excellence. Opportunities such as this reinforce the value of high-quality training and partnerships in shaping the future of the construction and decorating sectors.

For the fourth year running, LHP launched their Christmas appeal to support Immingham Dogs Home and a local cattery. Two shelters that play a vital role throughout the year by caring for pets found in abandoned LHP properties. As a thank-you for their ongoing help, the appeal asked staff and partners to donate essential items to support the animals over the festive period and into the new year.

The shelters had requested donations including tinned dog and cat food, treats, toys, washing-up liquid, washing powder and black bin liners. Gelder Group happily supported the appeal by donating fully stocked hampers of dog and cat food, treats and toys. The hampers were delivered yesterday by Harry Leak and Matt Ford from the Facilities Repair and Maintenance Department of Gelder Group, who both expressed how grateful the shelters were for the support.

This collaborative effort highlights the strong relationship between LHP, Gelder Group and the local animal shelters, ensuring that vulnerable pets receive comfort and care during the Christmas season.

Gelder Group Contracts Manager Harry Leak and Foreman Matt Ford have successfully completed the Dewpoint Professional Mould Remediation course, further enhancing the expertise within our Facilities Repair and Maintenance Division.

This specialist training equips our team with the knowledge and practical skills to safely and effectively identify, treat, and prevent mould growth in domestic properties — an essential service as housing standards continue to evolve under Awaab’s Law.

With this new qualification, Gelder Group is now better positioned to support Housing Associations and local authorities by:

• Conducting thorough mould and damp assessments in line with current legislation and health guidelines

• Delivering safe, compliant remediation works that address both surface-level and underlying causes

• Advising on preventative measures to create healthier, more sustainable living environments

This investment in upskilling our team reinforces our commitment to delivering high-quality, compliant property maintenance solutions that protect residents’ health and meet the rising standards within the social housing sector.

For more information on our Facilities Repair and Maintenance services, or to discuss how we can assist with mould remediation, please contact Gelder Group at info@gelder.co.uk

Cara, a dedicated apprentice at Gelder Group, has achieved a remarkable milestone by completing her Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship ahead of schedule. With unwavering support from her colleagues, Cara accelerated her learning journey, underscoring her commitment to excellence in the workplace.

Reflecting on her achievement, she expressed gratitude towards her team at Gelder Group, emphasising their instrumental role in her success. “I have just completed my Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship through Gelder Group“, Cara stated proudly. “The help and support from all my colleagues has allowed me to finish my apprenticeship 6 months early.”

For Cara, every day presents a fresh opportunity to expand her knowledge. Her enthusiasm for continuous learning serves as an inspiration to her peers and aspiring apprentices alike. “Every day is a fresh opportunity to thrive and gain more knowledge within my role“, she remarked, highlighting her passion for professional growth. “I would recommend anyone thinking about starting an apprenticeship to fulfil this through the Gelder Group.”

Encouraging others to embark on a similar journey, Cara wholeheartedly recommends starting an apprenticeship through Gelder Group. Her positive experience underscores the supportive environment and developmental opportunities offered by the company.

Cara’s achievement not only marks a personal triumph but also exemplifies the dedication and determination required to excel in apprenticeship programs. As she looks forward to new challenges and responsibilities, Cara remains committed to her career development, embodying the spirit of achievement and growth.

Cara Myskiw’s accomplishment stands as a testament to the value of dedication, teamwork, and continuous learning in professional development. Her journey serves as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring apprentices and industry professionals alike, highlighting the rewarding outcomes of commitment and perseverance in the workplace.

People living on a Lincoln estate are celebrating their “new look” meeting hub, which has been revamped at a cost of £300,000. The Facilities, Repairs and Maintenance team at Gelder Group, in Sturton by Stow, has finished the transformation of the Sudbrooke Drive Community Centre on the city’s Ermine Estate East, after being awarded a contract by the City of Lincoln Council.

The work, carried out as part of a Government Framework agreement, was financed by the UKSPF (UK Shared Prosperity Fund). Changes included the creation of new meeting rooms, a revamp sports hall and toilets and the addition of a smart café area. The Centre also has on-site parking.

Alive Church project leader Simon Nicoll said: “The café is open to the public and will offer a range of services to people needing advice with issues such as banking and finding work.”

Gelder Group Chief Executive Officer Steve Gelder said: “We’re proud to have played a role in breathing new life into such an important community space. The Sudbrooke Drive Community Centre is now a modern, welcoming hub that will support local residents for years to come. Projects like this demonstrate the power of collaboration, and it’s been a privilege to work alongside the City of Lincoln Council and all the partners involved to help deliver real, lasting value to the community.”

Gelder Group is proud to announce the addition of East Lindsey District Council (ELDC) and Boston Borough Council branding to the livery on its fleet of vehicles. This update celebrates the continuation of a long-standing relationship with ELDC and the start of a new chapter in our partnership, following the signing of a three-year contract in April 2024.

The contract encompasses Responsive Repairs and Maintenance services, ensuring that local properties and facilities are kept in excellent condition to serve their communities effectively. Having worked with ELDC for several years, Gelder Group is delighted to expand this trusted partnership to include Boston Borough Council, reinforcing our commitment to supporting the region’s needs with quality service and expertise.

Steve Gelder, CEO of Gelder Group, commented: “We are thrilled to enhance our fleet with the branding of East Lindsey District Council and Boston Borough Council, symbolising our collaborative efforts to maintain and improve local infrastructure. This contract highlights our dedication to providing top-tier maintenance services to support the residents and businesses of these districts.”