Division News: Facilities, Repair & Maintenance

Scampton Parish Council has unveiled new village signs and Aircrew statues in Scampton, marking an important investment in the village’s identity while celebrating the area’s proud RAF heritage. The project was initiated after the Parish Council identified the need to replace the village’s existing signs, which had become worn and outdated over time. At the same time, it was recognised that residents living on the former RAF Scampton site no longer had a clear community identity following the departure of the RAF from the historic airbase.

To honour the site’s significant history, Councillor Melanie Newham proposed the installation of Aircrew statues alongside the new signage, commemorating the airbase’s historic links with 617 Squadron. The proposal received full support from the Parish Council and became a central part of the wider improvement project.

Councillor Melanie Newham commented:

We were keen to work with a local company that understood both the importance of the project and the heritage behind it, so we were delighted to appoint Gelder Group to carry out the installation works. Councillor Chris Sneath and I worked closely with Rob from Gelder Group to identify the most suitable locations for both the village signs and the Aircrew statues, ensuring they would have the greatest impact for residents and visitors alike. The installation was completed to an exceptionally high standard and we have already received a huge amount of positive feedback from the community. It has been wonderful to see how much the project means to local residents and those connected to RAF Scampton’s history.

A spokesperson for Scampton Parish Council said:

We are delighted with how the project has come together. The new signs and Aircrew statues not only improve the appearance of the village but also recognise the incredible heritage associated with RAF Scampton and 617 Squadron. The feedback from the community has been overwhelmingly positive.

Gelder Group is proud to announce that Harry Leak has successfully completed his Construction Support Technician Level 3 apprenticeship, marking a significant milestone in his professional development and progression within the business.

Harry, who has now stepped into the role of Contracts Manager, has demonstrated strong commitment and capability throughout his apprenticeship. During this time, he gained valuable hands-on experience across a range of projects, developing key skills in contract management and project delivery.

Reflecting on his achievement, Harry said:

I’m really pleased to have completed my apprenticeship with Gelders and to now be working as a Contracts Manager. During my apprenticeship, I had the chance to get involved in a variety of projects and learn from a great team. I’m grateful for all the support I’ve had along the way, and I’m looking forward to continuing to develop in my role and contribute to future projects.

Harry’s manager, Rob, highlighted the progress he has made:

Harry has shown great commitment and development throughout his apprenticeship, consistently demonstrating a strong work ethic and a willingness to learn. Over time, he’s built up a solid understanding of contract management and project delivery and has become a valued member of the team. His progression into the role of Contracts Manager is well deserved. We’re pleased to see how far Harry has come and look forward to supporting their continued growth within the business.

Gelder Group remains committed to investing in apprenticeships as a vital pathway for developing talent within the construction industry. Harry’s success is a strong example of how structured training, combined with practical experience, can support individuals in building rewarding long-term careers.

Gelder Group is delighted to announce its sponsorship of team T-shirts for this year’s Merlane Trophy, continuing its commitment to supporting community-led initiatives and local sporting traditions.

The competition was founded by Nottingham based IOC member George Merlane in 1977. It provides friendly rivalry amongst colleges as their chosen students compete in a four-hour skills project. It is bench-based and incorporates both carpentry and joinery in a wide variety of forms from roofing to floor trimming from gates to serving hatches

This year’s event was hosted at Derby College, providing an excellent venue for the competition. Entrants travelled from Lincoln College to take part, highlighting the collaborative nature of the event and the strong links between educational institutions.

Gelder Group’s sponsorship of team T-shirts this year ensured that participants were equipped and unified, helping to build team identity and pride throughout the event. By supporting initiatives such as the Merlane Trophy, Gelder Group continues to demonstrate its commitment to investing in the communities it serves.

A spokesperson for Gelder Group commented:

We are proud to support the Merlane Trophy, an event with such strong community roots and history. It’s fantastic to see people coming together in this way, and we’re pleased to contribute by sponsoring the team T-shirts. Supporting local events like this is something we truly value.

Gelder Group is pleased to announce that its Facilities Maintenance and Building Department has successfully secured a place on the Westworks Building Maintenance and Compliance Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS).

The DPS provides a fully compliant route for public sector organisations, including local authorities, housing associations and government bodies to procure a wide range of building maintenance, refurbishment and compliance services. It covers works such as repairs, upgrades, regeneration and specialist compliance services across residential and commercial properties.

Operated by Westworks, a not-for-profit procurement specialist, the DPS connects approved contractors with public sector clients through a streamlined and efficient procurement process. Unlike traditional frameworks, suppliers can join at any time, enabling greater flexibility and access to opportunities.

Securing a place on this DPS marks a significant milestone for Gelder Group, reinforcing its position as a trusted delivery partner within the public sector. The appointment enables the business to directly access a broad pipeline of maintenance and compliance projects across the UK, supporting both planned and responsive works.

Louisa Sharpe, Operations Director at Gelder Group commented.

Being successfully appointed onto the Westworks Building Maintenance and Compliance DPS is a fantastic achievement for our Facilities Maintenance and Building team. It reflects the strength of our technical capability, our commitment to quality, and our proven track record in delivering works safely and compliantly across the built environment, this opportunity allows us to further support public sector organisations with efficient, high-quality maintenance and refurbishment solutions, while continuing to deliver social value within the communities we serve.

The DPS spans multiple workstreams including general building, electrical, mechanical, roofing, insulation, damp-proofing and specialist compliance services—ensuring clients can access fully integrated solutions through a single procurement route.

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.