Selco News

Children at a Solihull school will have an extra spring in their step after the outdoor learning and play area was spruced up with the help of Selco.

Burman Infant School, on Velsheda Road in Shirley, has benefitted from the support to bring enhancements to its playground.

A team of seven members of our category management team from Selco’s Support Centre in Wythall attended the school to carry out the work, which included replacing and painting fencing, repairing the gate and refreshing the storage shed.

We also provided all the materials and paint used on the project.

Ella Saxty - Headteacher at Burman Infant School which has more than 200 pupils across nursery, reception, year one and year two - said: “I would like to send a huge and heartfelt thanks to Selco as a whole and the team that volunteered to carry out the work in particular.

“We were hopeful that they would paint one fence in the time they had but the team ended up doing so much more.

“We don’t have any money to carry out anything but absolutely essential repair work so we would normally have to hold a fundraising event and then carry out a bit of work and repeat the process many times to get things done.

“To have a company like Selco support us with not only materials but also a number of its team volunteering is incredible.

“It has made a huge difference to the outdoor area used by our nursery and reception children, not only visually but also in inspiring the children who are approaching their learning in a different way because of the more vibrant look we now have.”

The attendance of the team came after we introduced a new scheme offering all of our near 3,000-strong colleagues the chance to volunteer to support a local community project on a working day.

Gary Walker, a member of our category management team which attended, said: “It was a fantastic day and something we were very proud to be involved with.

“The outdoor area needed some repair work and we got stuck in as a team and made the repairs and carried out the painting.

“The school were thrilled to have our support and made us feel very welcome, providing us with regular refreshments on what was an extremely warm day.

“We hope they are happy with the final outcome and the children get many more years of benefit from their outdoor play and learning.”

Grafton today announces the appointment of Frank Elkins as Chief Executive Officer of Selco and GB Distribution.

Frank will join Grafton on 5th August 2024 and will succeed Howard Luft, current Selco CEO, who will leave the business for a new position by the end of August after six and a half years in the role. Frank will also assume overall responsibility for Grafton’s trade distribution business in Great Britain.

Frank is a highly experienced Executive Director with broad experience in the UK building material distribution sector. Until last year, Frank worked with Travis Perkins plc for 12 years in a number of senior roles including Group Chief Operating Officer.

Children at a Peterborough school are exploring different ways to play – thanks to Selco.

Welland Academy, on Scalford Drive, has signed up to the OPAL Programme, which helps schools across the country redesign their playgrounds and provision to help encourage new ways of play.

Our Peterborough branch has thrown its support behind the project by donating a host of materials, including wood, pallets, plastic pipes, chains and buckets.

Tanya Peebles, of Welland Primary Academy, said: “We are so grateful to Selco for their support. They have absolutely embraced what we are trying to do at the school to make playtime more interesting and exciting for our pupils.

“The OPAL Primary Programme is all about giving children the type of experiences we enjoyed in our childhood, using basic materials to be creative. They can build things, climb ropes, or play in the sand. It’s about helping them to learn their limits in a safe environment.

“We already had some materials in place for the children to use and I’m sure they will be excited to receive these additional items from our friends at Selco.”

Our Peterborough branch on Padholme Road East opened last year, creating 30 new jobs and providing new convenience for tradespeople in the area.

Deputy manager Marta Ciz said the business was keen to play its part to support the local community.

“We have established ourselves in Peterborough over the last 16 months and have built a loyal customer base," she said.

“Getting involved with communities in which we are based is key part of the Selco ethos so we were delighted to be able to help Welland Primary Academy.

“Schoolchildren spend 20% of their day in play. Tanya and the team are working hard to improve the play facilities so the children can enjoy their time together and we’re proud to be a part of that.”

The OPAL Primary Programme offers schools a structured process, with mentored support provided for up to two years, to enable schools to permanently change both environment and culture.

We’re delighted to be supporting the West Midlands tradespeople of the future in their quest to become the top trainee in the UK.

Our Dudley branch on Coneygree Road donated hundreds of pounds of materials for the regional heat of SkillBuild.

The top young tradespeople in the UK put their skills to the test in different disciplines, including bricklaying, carpentry, joinery and plastering, to compete for a place in the national final.

The materials donated by Selco included concrete blocks, Thermalite Blocks and engineering bricks.

Alison Wong, head of communications and sustainability for Selco Builders Warehouse, said: “We're delighted to have supported SkillBuild through materials which enabled the competitors to showcase their skills.

“It’s a platform for the next generation of tradespeople to shine and make a name for themselves by reaching the national final.

“We were happy to play a small part in helping the regional heat of this prestigious competition run smoothly.”

The donation is our latest demonstration of support for young tradespeople following a partnership with six colleges across the UK supporting students on trade and construction courses with materials and visit to branches to learn more about how a builders merchant works.

SkillBuild, delivered by Construction Industry Training Board, is the largest multi-trade competition in the UK for construction trainees and apprentices.

Rob Smith, of Dudley College, said: “We are extremely grateful for Selco for the support they provided to our Dudley regional heat.

“The competition is very much appreciated by all young tradespeople eligible to compete, but we are only able to stage such a high-profile event with the support of companies such as Selco.

“It’s vital that we continue to have the next generation of tradespeople coming through the ranks to ensure the UK continues to benefit from specialist trades and competitions such as this are vital in achieving that.”

Cinderella will go to the ball this summer – or at least eight carnivals across Essex – thanks to the support of Selco.

We're delighted to be backing the Wickford Town Carnival Team bringing summer joy across Essex during carnival season after it opted for a Cinderella carriage theme for its float this year.

To help ensure the float is looking as impressive as possible, our Chelmsford branch has provided around £400 worth of building materials, such as plywood, paint and sheet fixings.

Sean Ellis, chairman of the Wickford Town Carnival Team, said: “It’s always an extremely busy time of the year as we work to get the float ready for the summer season and then take it on the road.

“Selco have been fantastic in their support, having helped us last year when we created an Alice in Wonderland theme and then doing likewise this time around.

“Having them provide the materials takes a lot of pressure off and ensures we can focus on making sure the float is as interactive and engaging as possible as it goes in front of thousands of Essex residents.”

The Cinderella float made its first appearance at Braintree & Bocking Carnival, will appear at its ‘home’ Wickford Carnival on September 14 and also visit other local events including in Witham, Basildon and Clacton.

Lee Powling, manager of our Chelmsford branch, said: “We are committed to supporting the communities in which we operate and are delighted to have provided the Wickford Carnival Team with the products and materials to make their float look as impressive as possible.

“Carnivals are a real focal point of communities during the summer and we're delighted to play a small part in helping the Wickford team entertain the crowds from across the whole of Essex.”

A community café offering companionship, debt advice, a food bank and activities is our latest Community Heroes winner.

The Daily Bread Café, part of St Peter's Church in Hutton, Brentwood, will has scooped £500 worth of materials to help improve its community garden.

A new vegetable area at the church will help people to learn new skills while also producing food to be used in the café.

Volunteers will visit our Basildon branch on Crompton Close to select their materials.

Over the course of six months, we are awarding 12 groups a windfall worth £500 through our ever-popular Community Heroes scheme.

Rev Lisa Whymark, of St Peter’s Church, said: “We are delighted to receive this tremendous support from Selco, which will make a huge difference to the work we do.

"The Daily Bread Café is at the heart of the local community, providing support to hundreds of people each week through the food hub, community café and activity groups.

"We particularly support older people and those with health needs. We have a small gardening group which operates from the café which we would love to expand.

"This prize will allow us to set up a vegetable garden with a potting shed and compost system. People will enjoy learning gardening skills and the produce grown can be used in the café, or even sold to raise funds."

At the end of the Community Heroes campaign, the dozen winners will go before a public vote, with the most supported bagging £5,000 in cash and the runner-up securing £1,000.

“That amount of money would be game-changing for the Daily Bread Café,” said Rev Whymark.

Alison Wong, Head of Communications and Sustainability at Selco, said: “Community Heroes has really captured the imagination and we have had an incredible number of strong entries from community groups and charities right across the country.

“We're delighted to be backing Daily Bread, which is there to support the local community four days a week, entirely led by volunteers.

“I’m sure the vegetable garden will be a huge success and another valued service.”

Community Heroes is open to any charity or group which is at the heart of its local community and entries can be made online by explaining in no more than 100 words how the building materials or money would be used to benefit the organisation.

We've reaffirmed our commitment to the tradespeople of the future by backing students in Exeter in the next steps of their careers.

At Selco, we’ve donated thousands of pounds of materials to college students carrying out trade and construction courses around the country.

Amongst the beneficiaries have been students of Exeter College who have also been invited to our Exeter branch, based on Filmer Way in Marsh Barton, to learn more about how a builders' merchant operates and the relationship it has with tradespeople.

Each college has also received £3,000 worth of materials to use in the classroom as part of the studies.

West London College, Leeds College of Building, Bournemouth and Poole College and Birmingham Metropolitan College are amongst the education establishments we have partnered with on the scheme.

Andrew Legge, a construction tutor at Exeter College said: “The Selco partnership is proving a fantastic initiative and an absolutely invaluable experience for our learners.

“A builders' merchant plays such a significant role in the life of a tradesperson so introducing our learners to them so early in their careers will stand them in really good stead.

“The materials and tools that Selco has kindly donated has also been an incredible help. We want our learners to carry out as much practical work as possible and the products and materials Selco has donated has enabled us to do that.

“We can’t thank Selco enough for the work it's doing with our college and others around the UK and the significant difference it's making to the future of the industry.”

Barry Price, branch manager of Selco Exeter, said: “We're committed to supporting tradespeople at every level so this is an extremely exciting project for us to be involved with.

“We're delighted to be playing a small part in the educational journey of the next generation of tradespeople, whether that be through the donation of materials and tools or the insight visiting one of our branches provides.

“It was great to see the students so receptive to learning about what the future might hold for them in their day-to-day working lives.”

A junior football club which is linked to a Southwark charity designed to improve the lives of local youngsters has hit the back of the net – thanks to a sponsorship from us.

We're thrilled to have backed Bosco FC’s under 12 team with a £3,000 donation towards running costs for the team and a new strip.

Bosco is a small charity-based college which also has a nursery on-site and offers a youth club open for extra-curricular activities after school.

It also runs a football academy for children aged from two to 14 and has nine teams operating from under sevens through to an adult team.

Robert Rosier, club secretary for Bosco FC, said the donation is making a huge difference to the club.

He said: “What sets us apart from other football clubs in the area is our charitable aspect.

“We rely on support from the local community to create opportunities for young players who demonstrate commitment and talent to fulfil their potential.

“We understand that the rising costs of recent times is posing huge challenges for families so Selco’s donation is having an incredibly positive impact on the local community.

“The donation is covering the cost of our under 12s for a whole season, ranging from training sessions, kit and the funding of league matches, so everyone involved with the club is hugely grateful for Selco’s support.”

Bosco’s junior teams play in the South East London and Kent Youth Football League.

Alison Wong, our head of communications and sustainability, said: “We are delighted to be supporting Bosco Football Club and the wider charitable aspects of the organisation.

“It’s a unique offering which brings opportunities on and off the football field to hundreds of youngsters in the deprived area. We're following the progress of the club with great interest.”

A Leeds charity that supports adults with learning disabilities or autism through the power of art is our latest Community Heroes winner.

Pyramid, based in Holbeck, has scooped £500 worth of materials in our popular competition.

The arts collective and charity plans to use its prize to revamp the accessible toilet at its Croydon Street studio, improving its facilities to be more welcoming and inclusive of disabled participants.

Alice Clayden, Creative Programme Coordinator at Pyramid, said: “We were over the moon to be named a Selco Community Hero. As a small charity, any support is very gratefully received.

“We exist to support adults with learning disabilities, autism or both to come together and make friends. We host many individual artists as well as running eight two-hour group sessions each week where members can express themselves and create art.

“It is a really valuable time for some of the most culturally and socially excluded people in society.

“Everyone is very excited about cracking on with the work on our toilets as it means we can continue to offer a first-class, inclusive service.”

This is the fourth edition of Community Heroes, which sees good causes across the country supported with an annual prize pot worth more than £10,000.

Over the course of six months, 12 winners will benefit from £500 to spend at their nearest Selco.

At the end of the campaign, the dozen winners will go before a public vote, with the most supported bagging £5,000 in cash and the runner-up securing £1,000.

Alison Wong, Head of Communications and Sustainability at Selco, said: “Community Heroes 2024 has been open for three months and we have already received more than 1,000 entries.

“Judging the monthly recipients is always difficult but Pyramid are very worthy winners. They have a clear vision and plan for improving their facilities.

“We hope the work helps to make the centre even better for Pyramid’s members.”

Pyramid works with around 150 people a year and around half of its members have profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD).

Community Heroes is open to any charity or group which is at the heart of its local community and entries can be made online by explaining in no more than 100 words how the building materials or money would be used to benefit organisation.

A new community shed near Swansea is one step closer to opening its doors after winning building materials in our Selco Community Heroes competition.

Volunteers are working hard in preparation of the official launch of The Shed at the Pavilion in Birchgrove.

The group has now received £500 of building materials through our Community Heroes 2024 campaign, which gives community groups and good causes the chance to secure materials to use on a project.

The Shed at the Pavilion will also be a Community Heroes finalist later in the year and will compete against 11 other winners to scoop the £5,000 first prize, or £1,000 as runner-up.

Former truck driver Peter Harris, who heads up The Shed at the Pavilion, said: “We’re thrilled to be a Selco Community Heroes winner.

“The Shed is part of a health and wellbeing movement aimed at alleviating loneliness.

“We were very kindly offered the use of the former OAP pavilion in Birchgrove. It's a perfect site for us but it has taken a lot of work to get it into a useable condition.

“We are nearly there now and these materials from Selco will allow us to complete the final touches, including installing worktops for crafting.”

The group was originally called Llansamlet Men’s Shed but, due to a recent influx in female members, decided to rebrand as The Shed at the Pavilion.

Members currently meet once a week but, when renovation work is complete, there are plans to hold a variety of sessions three times a week.

Peter added: “Anybody who wants to come here can do. It’s not just woodworking – we are planning a wide range of crafts and skills.

“If someone has a skill they can come and share it with others. But above all, it’s about making new friends and combatting isolation by being together.”

The Shed at the Pavilion will visit Selco Swansea on Upper Fforest Way to choose its materials from the extensive range of materials and products on offer.

Alison Wong, Head of Communications and Sustainability at Selco, said: “We’re delighted to support The Shed at the Pavilion, which will be an invaluable service for people in and around Birchgrove.

“The group has worked really hard to get the building to a useable state. The materials will help to complete the job.”

Community Heroes is open to any charity or group which is at the heart of its local community and entries can be made online by explaining in no more than 100 words how the building materials or money would be used to benefit members.