Selco News

We’re pleased to announce The Green Backyard Charity as a runner-up in our 2026 Community Heroes initiative, recognising the charity’s commitment to creating a sustainable, inclusive community space that promotes wellbeing and connection.

The charity was selected by a panel including celebrity judge and TV tradesperson, Rob Bent. The campaign was relaunched this year, after research found that half of Brits (48%) say community spaces have disappeared in their neighbourhoods.

The Green Backyard in Peterborough is a vibrant community garden open to everyone, providing a space where people can come together to support their health, wellbeing and connection to the environment. The site is home to a range of community projects, activities and workshops, from gardening and bike repair to a refill shop, men’s shed and children’s groups.

Following a successful community campaign to protect the site from new building developments, The Green Backyard is now looking to improve and strengthen the space for the future. Its volunteers and users help run the site and its projects, creating a welcoming community resource that can be enjoyed by local people and groups.

Thanks to the Community Heroes win, The Green Backyard will receive £1,000 credit to spend in its local branch, Selco Peterborough. The funding will help with repairs to the leaking roof of the community hub and help renew the site’s ageing polytunnel. These improvements will support in making the garden more welcoming and usable with the goal of attracting more users and community hirers to build a stronger financial foundation for the future.

Lou Roe, Fundraising Trustee at The Green Backyard said: "The Green Backyard is run by volunteers, and is loved and used by many groups and people in the city. The store credit from Selco Community Heroes will help restore some of our aging structures whilst supporting the work our groups and volunteers do onsite every week, so thank you!"

Now in its sixth year -and with a bigger prize fund than ever before at £62,000 – the Community Heroes initiative is designed to benefit small community projects that are building brighter futures for their local areas.

David Lennon, Commercial Director at Selco, said: “The Green Backyard plays a valuable role in bringing people in Peterborough together and supporting their wellbeing. We're delighted to support the charity through Community Heroes and help fund improvements that will strengthen and protect this much-loved space for those who use it. We look forward to seeing the positive impact these upgrades have for years to come."

Local charities and community projects are encouraged to find out more about Community Heroes and apply online.

We're happy to announce The Walsh Project for Positive Change CIC as a finalist for our 2026 Community Heroes initiative, acknowledging the charity’s work in creating an inclusive community hub that uses physical activity to build confidence, belonging and opportunity for people of all ages and abilities.

Standing out amongst the applications from August, the charity was selected by a panel including celebrity judge and TV tradesperson, Rob Bent. The campaign was relaunched this year, after research found that half of Brits (48%) say community spaces have disappeared in their neighbourhoods.

The Walsh Project for Positive Change CIC will join eight more finalists selected between April and November 2026 to face a public vote in December, which will decide the Community Heroes 2026 winner who will receive £15,000 in cash.

The Walsh Project for Positive Change CIC is an inclusive community wellbeing and development project, built on 15 years of grassroots experience supporting children, adults and families through Pitbull MMA. It aims to create a safe and welcoming space where people can feel included, build confidence, develop a sense of belonging and enhance their quality of life.

Through physical activity, youth mentoring, SEND and disability inclusion, education, volunteering and personal development, the project helps people build new skills, strengthen their physical and emotional wellbeing, and create positive connections within their community.

Thanks to the win, The Walsh Project for Positive Change CIC has already secured £2,000 to spend in its local branch, Selco Coventry. This funding will be used to transform the charity’s new facility into a safe, inclusive and durable community space, with the initial focus on protecting the walls and improving storage. These improvements will help create dedicated learning spaces and a welcoming, inclusive environment that meets the needs of children, adults, families and people with additional needs, providing a strong foundation for the project’s continued growth.

Paul Walsh, Director & Co Founder at The Walsh Project for Positive Change CIC said: “We’re incredibly proud and grateful to be named Selco’s Community Heroes’ first-place winner for August. This support will make a genuine difference to The Walsh Project for Positive Change CIC, helping us continue creating positive opportunities and making an impact in our local community. Being recognised in this way means so much to everyone involved.”

Now in its sixth year – and with a bigger prize fund than ever before at £62,000 – the Community Heroes initiative is designed to benefit small community projects that are building brighter futures for their local areas.

David Lennon, Commercial Director at Selco, said:
"We were inspired by The Walsh Project's vision to create an inclusive community hub that removes barriers and helps people become the best versions of themselves. The work it does to support physical and emotional wellbeing makes a lasting difference to the lives of local people. We're delighted to crown the charity as a Community Heroes finalist and support the development of its facility."

Local charities and community projects are encouraged to find out more about Community Heroes and apply online.

We're delighted to announce The Way Youth Zone Charity as a runner-up in our 2026 Community Heroes initiative, recognising the charity’s support and commitment to helping young people develop practical skills and explore future career opportunities.

The charity was selected by a panel including celebrity judge and TV tradesperson, Rob Bent. The campaign was relaunched this year, after research found that half of Brits (48%) say community spaces have disappeared in their neighbourhoods.

The Way Youth Zone is a charity supporting young people across Wolverhampton, providing a safe and inspiring space for 8-19 year olds, and up to 25 for those with additional needs. It gives young people affordable opportunities to try new things, build confidence, develop life skills and explore their potential.

Its new Manufacturing Makerspace and Construction Zone will give young people the opportunity to gain practical, hands-on experience, develop industry knowledge and explore future career pathways. By learning through doing, the project aims to build confidence and skills that can help young people take their next steps into education, training and employment.

Thanks to the Community Heroes win, The Way Youth Zone charity has secured £1,000 to spend in its local branch, Selco Wolverhampton. The centre has been operating in their building for over 20 years and plans to use the funding to replace the fence panels surrounding the garden to allow its users to continue learning safely outside.

Lisa Carson, Director of Fundraising at The Way Youth Zone said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be recognised as a Community Heroes runner-up by Selco. This support will help us continue providing opportunities, experiences and vital services for young people across Wolverhampton. Every contribution makes a real difference, helping us create a safe, inspiring place where young people can thrive.”

Now in its sixth year – and with a bigger prize fund than ever before at £62,000 – the Community Heroes initiative is designed to benefit small community projects that are building brighter futures for their local areas.

David Lennon, Commercial Director at Selco, said:
"The Way Youth Zone is making a real difference by creating opportunities for young people across Wolverhampton to learn new skills and build confidence, with a commitment to providing hands-on experiences that helps them realise their full potential.

We're proud to support the charity through Community Heroes and help it continue providing a safe, inspiring environment where young people can thrive."

Local charities and community projects are encouraged to find out more about Community Heroes and apply online.

We're pleased to have rolled out nationwide availability of both C16 and C24 timber grades in our branches, giving tradespeople more choice when sourcing high-quality materials for a variety of projects.

The move forms a new initiative – ‘Every Grade for the Trade’ - highlighting our commitment to providing quality products and prices for tradespeople. This follows the launch of our new pricing strategy, Sharp Prices, and the introduction of its loyalty programme, tradeREWARDS.

Alongside the ‘Every Grade for the Trade’ campaign, we've also launched a competition in partnership with our supplier, BSW Timber. From 1 September to 30 November 2026, every purchase of BSW Timber products from us will automatically qualify customers for entry into a weekly prize draw to win £250 cash.

Plus, customers who spend £125 ex VAT or more on BSW Timber products in a single transaction will also be entered into a grand prize draw to win a one-off grand prize of £10,000.

View the competition terms and conditions.

The campaign and competition form part of our overarching programme to improve the quality and availability of our timber stock. This includes monthly timber stock cleanses, enhanced housekeeping training for store colleagues, and actively listening to customer feedback to identify further opportunities for improvement.

Delivered in partnership with BSW Timber, it reflects our commitment to listening to customers and taking action to improve the quality of our timber, while offering competitive prices.

Darren Pack, Head of Sales at BSW Timber, said: “Every Grade for the Trade is a fantastic initiative from Selco – we’re pleased to support a promotion that sees tradespeople across the nation being offered the choice of both UK C16 timber and C24 across Selco branches.

The initiative aligns closely with Trust UK C16’s ambition to make the trade more familiar with UK C16 Timber and the many applications it can be used in, as well as the environmental and economic benefits its use can bring.”

Lee Taylor, Category Manager at Selco, said: "As we continue to prioritise making life easier for our customers, we are stocking both C16 and C24 timber grades across our store network, giving tradespeople greater choice and flexibility when it comes to purchasing timber.

"At the same time, we're delighted to be rewarding our customers through this exciting promotion with BSW Timber. Whether it's the chance to win £250 in our weekly prize draws or the £10,000 grand prize, we're offering even more value while continuing to support the Trade with the products they need every day."

This multi-pronged timber campaign reinforces our commitment to choice, availability and value for the Trade, ensuring customers can access the timber products they need while benefiting from rewarding incentives.

PLOT 1625 is the fourth finalist of our 2026 Community Heroes initiative, recognising the community interest company (CIC)’s work in striving to support young people with additional needs living in and around Gillingham.

Standing out amongst the applications from July, the community project was selected by a panel including celebrity judge and TV tradesperson, Rob Bent. The campaign was relaunched this year, after research found that half of Brits (48%) say community spaces have disappeared in their neighbourhoods.

PLOT 1625 will join seven more finalists selected between April and November 2026 to face a public vote in December, which will decide the Community Heroes 2026 winner who will receive £15,000 in cash.

PLOT 1625 is a developing community allotment and outdoor learning project in Gillingham, informed by occupational therapy principles. It aims to support young people aged 16–25 with additional needs as they transition into adulthood.

Through teaching skills such as gardening and growing produce, and encouraging participation in outdoor activities, PLOT 1625 hopes to inspire confidence and independence, all whilst teaching practical life skills and building social connections between young people.

Thanks to the win, PLOT 1625 has secured £2,000 to spend in its local store, Selco Rochester. This funding will be used to purchase supplies such as timber and fixings which will help transform the allotment into a safe and accessible learning space. The materials will be used to create raised beds, a communal table and seating area, fencing and gates, making the space ready to welcome its users.

Lisa Doherty, PLOT 1625 Project Lead, Occupational Therapist and one of its three founding directors, said: "Being selected as a Community Heroes finalist means so much to all of us at PLOT 1625. We are still beginning our journey, working hard to build something valuable for our community. This support arrives at exactly the right time, providing the practical help we need to start turning our plans into reality. We are incredibly grateful."

Now in its sixth year – and with a bigger prize fund than ever before at £62,000 – the Selco Community Heroes initiative is designed to benefit small community projects that are building brighter futures for their local areas.

David Lennon, Commercial Director at Selco, said: “PLOT 1625 is doing fantastic work to create an inclusive outdoor space where young people with additional support needs can learn, grow and develop their independence.

We were really impressed by their vision and the positive impact the project will have on young people in the local community, which is why we were delighted to crown them a Selco Community Heroes finalist.”

Local charities and community projects are encouraged to find out more about Community Heroes and apply online.

We're pleased to announce The Rainbow Centre for Cognitive Education as a runner-up in our 2026 Community Heroes initiative, recognising the charity’s support and commitment to children and adults living with neurological conditions in and around Fareham, Hampshire.

The charity was selected by a panel including celebrity judge and TV tradesperson, Rob Bent. The campaign was relaunched this year, after research found that half of Brits (48%) say community spaces have disappeared in their neighbourhoods.

The Rainbow Centre was founded by a small group of parents looking to provide the best help and support for their children with Cerebral Palsy. That has since grown into an organisation which supports both adults and children with neurological conditions such as Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Stroke, Parkinson’s and acquired brain injuries.

Through conductive education, the centre helps participants develop practical strategies, build confidence and maintain and improve important skills such as balance, coordination, mobility and functional independence.

Thanks to the Community Heroes win, The Rainbow Centre has secured £1,000 to spend in its local store, Selco Portsmouth. The centre has been operating in their building for over 20 years, and plans to use the store credit to replace the fence panels surrounding the garden to allow its users to continue learning safely outside.

Jane Atherton, Head of Fund Development at The Rainbow Centre, said: “Being chosen as a Community Heroes runner-up is wonderful news for The Rainbow Centre. Selco’s generous donation will help transform our garden into a safer, more attractive and inviting space. Our children and adults with neurological conditions will be able to enjoy the outdoors with greater confidence, comfort and peace of mind.”

Now in its sixth year -and with a bigger prize fund than ever before at £62,000 – the Community Heroes initiative is designed to benefit small community projects that are building brighter futures for their local areas.

David Lennon, Commercial Director at Selco, said: “The Rainbow Centre carries out vital work to support individuals with neurological conditions to build their freedom and confidence”.

“We hope our contribution will help The Rainbow Centre continue creating a safe and supportive environment for its users and the wider community for many years to come.”

Local charities and community projects are encouraged to find out more about Community Heroes and apply online.

We've announced Gloucestershire Deaf Association as a runner-up in our 2026 Community Heroes initiative, recognising the charity’s support and commitment to children and adults living with neurological conditions in and around Cheltenham.

The charity was selected by a panel including celebrity judge and TV tradesperson, Rob Bent. The campaign was relaunched this year, after research found that half of Brits (48%) say community spaces have disappeared in their neighbourhoods.

The Gloucestershire Deaf Association is Gloucestershire’s only organisation which supports people of all ages who are deaf or hard of hearing. It supports over 6,000 individuals per year, aiming to facilitate community connection, promote independence and support full participation in society.

The charity’s services include hearing aid clinics, assistive equipment installation, BSL and lip-reading classes, health checks and wellbeing services to adults and older people. As well as this, it runs a children, young people and families service which supports children and their families from birth to aged 18.

Thanks to the Community Heroes win, Gloucestershire Deaf Association has secured £1,000 to spend in its local store, Selco Cheltenham. The funding will be used to refurbish its existing buildings, preventing damp and energy waste by installing zoned heating, sensor lighting, LED lightbulbs and double-glazing panels.

Gilson Sly, Head of Growth and Partnerships at GDA Services, said:

“GDA is thrilled to be supported by Selco. Our community building is a thriving hub supporting around 10,000 people each year, but as a former Victorian primary school, it has been in need of some TLC and a modern energy upgrade. Selco's support will help us to maintain a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for our community.

Most importantly, the funding supports our vital work serving deaf and hard of hearing children, adults and families to live confident lives with opportunity, participation and a place to belong.”

Now in its sixth year – and with a bigger prize fund than ever before at £62,000 – the Selco Community Heroes initiative is designed to benefit small community projects that are building brighter futures for their local areas.

David Lennon, Commercial Director at Selco Builders Warehouse, said:

“We’re delighted to support Gloucestershire Deaf Association through Community Heroes and contribute to improvements that will make its buildings more comfortable, efficient and welcoming for the people who rely on the charity’s services.

We hope our support helps the organisation continue the fantastic work it does across the community.”

Local charities and community projects are encouraged to find out more about Community Heroes and apply online.

We've launched two major new initiatives, Sharp Prices and tradeREWARDS, following our largest-ever customer listening programme.

Over the past 12 months, we've worked closely with customers to better understand the challenges they face every day, trialling a series of solutions across the country to identify those that would deliver the greatest benefit to the tradespeople we serve.

The result is two initiatives developed in partnership with our customers and designed to make life simpler for the Trade by reducing complexity, increasing trust and delivering greater value, allowing them more time to focus on running and growing their businesses.

Built on genuine customer insight, Sharp Prices and tradeREWARDS form part of our new Sorted campaign, reinforcing our commitment to listening to the Trade and responding with tangible solutions that make a real difference.

Our research found that today's tradespeople are under increasing pressure, with limited time, rising costs and complicated buying journeys making it harder to stay focused on the job. Through Sorted, we aim to remove as many of these challenges as possible, giving customers confidence that we're with them for every job.

Sharp Prices is an innovative pricing strategy designed to reduce wasted time in the customer journey by monitoring prices daily across a range of our core products and best-selling lines. By providing transparent, competitive pricing that customers can trust across every channel, Sharp Prices removes the need to spend valuable time shopping around, comparing prices or negotiating.

With prices reviewed and adjusted daily to ensure they stay sharp, and backed up by our nationwide store network, strong product availability and knowledgeable colleagues, the initiative gives customers confidence they're getting the right products at the right prices - so they can get in, get what they need, and get back to the job.

Complementing Sharp Prices is a brand-new loyalty programme designed to reward tradespeople and their businesses. Created to give more back to customers every time they shop*, tradeREWARDS is built around a straightforward premise: the more you shop, the more you save.

With three tiers - Bronze, Silver and Gold - customers earn discounts on their purchases when they maintain a minimum monthly spend. The Bronze tier gives customers access to the special offers available with a Selco Trade Card, including Real Deals and Mega Deals. Customers who spend an average of £300 inc VAT in a calendar month will move up to the Silver tier and unlock 6% off all purchases, while those who spend an average of £1500 inc VAT per month will enter the Gold tier and unlock 10% off all purchases.

This system ensures that the business’ most loyal customers receive even greater value for choosing us.

David Lennon, Commercial Director, said: "Listening and responding to our customers has been at the centre of these two initiatives. We’ve undertaken the biggest customer listening programme in Selco’s history to better understand the frustrations tradespeople face every day and the role we can play in helping them overcome them.

What we heard was clear: consumer confidence remains low, inflationary pressures continue to affect businesses, and every minute spent away from the tools matters. Tradespeople told us that they want greater consistency, more transparency and less complexity when buying the products they need.

We’ve worked alongside our customers to test and refine solutions that genuinely make a difference, supporting a key part of our economy in the local communities we serve. Sharp Prices removes the guesswork from pricing by checking our prices every day against the best visible prices in the market, while tradeREWARDS recognises customers for their loyalty and gives them a simple, accessible way to create more value for their businesses every time they shop.

Together, these two initiatives form part of our new Sorted proposition, which is all about making life easier for the Trade. Whether customers are visiting a store, ordering online or using the app, it’s all about keeping things simple: great value, what they need, when they need it, and less time hanging around so they can get on with the job.”

* Exclusions will apply to select sale or clearance items, as well as non-stocked items (including those sent direct to site).

tradeREWARDS discounts cannot be combined with other promotional discounts unless otherwise stated. The best available price will always be applied.

We're excited to announce Noah’s Star as the third finalist of our 2026 Community Heroes initiative, recognising the charity’s dedication and support it provides for families of prematurely born and sick babies across Birmingham.

Standing out amongst the applications from June, the charity was selected by a panel including celebrity judge and TV tradesperson, Rob Bent. The campaign was relaunched this year, after research found that half of Brits (48%) say community spaces have disappeared in their neighbourhoods.

Noah’s Star will join seven more finalists selected between April and November 2026 to face a public vote in December to decide the overall Community Heroes 2026 winner, who will receive £15,000 in cash.

Founded from the lived experience of their founder, Jo-Anne Shellum, who experienced a premature birth herself and the loss of a child, Noah’s Star strives to make a difference to families who are trying to overcome the hurdles that accompany premature birth and neonatal complications.

The organisation provides emotional, practical and peer-led support to parents, siblings and their wider families both in hospitals and within the community. Its services also include compassionate bereavement support for parents following the loss of a baby. The charity works closely with healthcare professionals to reduce isolation, improve wellbeing and help families feel more confident and supported throughout their neonatal journey.

Thanks to the win, Noah’s Star has already secured £2,000 to spend in its local store, Selco Stirchley. This funding will be used to purchase essential outdoor resources and equipment to allow them to deliver outdoor Forest School sessions for families they support.

Jo-Anne Shellum, Founding CEO at Noah’s Star, said: "We are absolutely delighted to have been chosen as a June Community Heroes winner and are incredibly grateful to Selco for this generous support. Noah's Star supports families when their baby is born premature, sick or admitted to hospital, providing emotional support, practical help and opportunities to build connections with others who understand their journey.”

“The £2,000 in-store funding will make a huge difference, helping us develop our new outdoor space to create a welcoming, therapeutic environment where families can make positive memories together during difficult times."

Now in its sixth year – and with a bigger prize fund than ever before at £62,000 – the Selco Community Heroes initiative is designed to benefit small community projects that are building brighter futures for their local areas.

Simon Humpage, Head of MultiChannel Marketing at Selco, said: “The story of Noah’s Star immediately pulled on our heartstrings, and we knew we wanted to support them by crowning them a Selco Community Hero.”

“Charities such as Noah’s Star rely on donations to make their spaces more welcoming and functional for users, so we’re pleased to be able to aid them in improving their facilities. We’re proud to now be a part of the work they do and look forward to watching them grow.”

Local charities and community projects are encouraged to find out more about Community Heroes and apply online.

We've announced Voices of Hope, a community-based charity providing holistic support for women who have been subject to trauma, as a runner-up in our 2026 Community Heroes initiative, recognising the charity’s dedication and positive impact on the lives of women in Southwest London and Surrey.

The charity was selected by a panel including celebrity judge and TV tradesperson, Rob Bent. The campaign was relaunched this year, after research found that half of Brits (48%) say community spaces have disappeared in their neighbourhoods.

Voices of Hope supports women and children in Southwest London and Surrey who have been affected by hardship, trauma and poor wellbeing. Through its dedicated Women’s Hubs, they provide support for women who have suffered domestic abuse, violence and poor mental health, with the aim to help them rebuild and move towards more hopeful futures.

Thanks to the Community Heroes win, Voices of Hope has secured £1,000 to spend in its local store, Selco Kingston. The organisation has recently been offered a new space to call home and plan to use the store credit to purchase materials to create a welcoming space for various recovery activities.

Sarah Clay, Chief Executive at Voices of Hope UK, said: “We're incredibly excited to be moving into Kingston Library, which will become the new home for our Kingston offices and a welcoming community base for Voices of Hope, giving us the opportunity to open this dedicated space in the heart of the town for women who have experienced trauma and extreme hardship.

“Selco's award has come at the perfect time as it will help us purchase paint, decorating materials, shelving and storage to create a highly relational and confidential space for advocacy, emotional support, counselling and recovery activities. We are incredibly grateful to Selco for helping us create a beautiful place where women can begin to rebuild their lives."

Now in its sixth year – and with a bigger prize fund than ever before at £62,000 – the Selco Community Heroes initiative is designed to benefit small community projects that are building brighter futures for their local areas.

Simon Humpage, Head of Multichannel Marketing at Selco Builders Warehouse, said: “Voices of Hope are providing such an important support network for women who have been subject to abuse and trauma. At Selco, we’re proud to support their work and hope our contribution towards materials will transform the space into a safe and welcoming environment and allow them to continue to carry out their impactful work.”

Local charities and community projects are encouraged to find out more about Community Heroes and apply online.