Selco News

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.

We're pleased to announce Families United Warrington as a runner-up in our 2026 Community Heroes initiative, recognising the charity’s support and commitment to young people in Warrington with SEND and complex needs as well as their families.

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.

Since 2003, Families United has provided reassurance, peer support and vital respite to families and members, helping disabled children and young adults thrive and enabling families to connect within an inclusive SEND community. Via accessible and inspiring activities, Families United creates safe and welcoming spaces where young people with special educational needs and disabilities can enjoy meaningful experiences alongside their families.

Thanks to the Community Heroes win, Families United has secured £1,000 to spend in its local store, Selco Warrington. This will be used to purchase essential building materials and hardware needed to complete the foundations for stage one of its transformational project to their newly acquired venue.

Claire Caddick, CEO of Families United, said: "We are absolutely delighted to be recognised as one of Selco Builders Warehouse's Community Heroes. This award celebrates the dedication of our staff, volunteers, and supporters.

"The funding will help us transform our new building into a welcoming community hub where families can access support, build lasting relationships, and create a legacy for generations to come. We are incredibly grateful to Selco for supporting our vision."

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: “Families United Warrington provides a supportive environment that helps children build confidence, develop social skills and improve their emotional wellbeing.”

“We’re thrilled to contribute to the development of this organisation and hope we play a role in allowing children and families across Warrington to continue to access brighter futures.”

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

Salford Foodbank has been announced as our second runner-up for May in our 2026 Community Heroes initiative, recognising the charity’s dedication and positive impact on the local people of Salford.

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

Salford Foodbank supports local people facing hardship by providing emergency food parcels containing three days’ worth of nutritionally balanced food. Through its seven centres across Salford, the charity distributes around 250 parcels each week, helping up to 500 people, including families and children.

Thanks to the Community Heroes win, Salford Foodbank has secured £1,000 to spend in its local store, Selco Salford on North Phoebe Street. This will be used to purchase the necessary supplies to refurbish the reception area, kitchen and office space at the foodbank warehouse, where the space was originally a plumber’s merchant and lacks a welcoming feel for its clients.

Alia Jones, Founder and Chief Executive, said: “We’re so grateful to be selected as a Community Heroes winner. For us, this means we can purchase tools and equipment needed to refurbish our foodbank warehouse to make it more welcoming for our visitors.”

“Selco’s support is contributing to our mission to feed people in crisis weekly, providing nutrition for families who otherwise would go hungry.”

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, said: “Salford Foodbank is there for the local community when it really needs them, working to combat poverty and hunger. At Selco, we’re proud to support their work and hope our contribution of materials helps the space to become more inviting for those who use it.”

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

Hayes-based organisation Halo Children’s Foundation has been named as the latest runner-up in our 2026 Community Heroes initiative, recognising the charity’s dedication and positive impact on children and their families.

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

Halo Children’s Foundation is a charity which supports children, as well as their families, when a loved one sadly dies. As part of their vital support work, they offer services free of charge to their community, so that they do not have to grieve alone. These services include counselling, art and play therapy, school support, funded trips and even a bereavement book library.

Halo Children’s Foundation is at the beginning stages of setting up a new hub and wellness centre, and thanks to the Community Heroes win, they’ve secured £1,000 to spend in our Selco Hayes store to support. This will be used to purchase the necessary supplies to refurbish and decorate the space to make it warm and welcoming for its users.

Alia Jones, Founder and Chief Executive, said: “We are honoured at HALO to be recognised as one of Selco’s Community Heroes winners for May. This is a wonderful acknowledgment of the dedication of our team, volunteers and supporters, and all the efforts to make a difference.”

“The grant will help us continue making a positive impact in our community, expand our reach, and support even more people through our ongoing projects and services, as we work on setting up a bereavement support and wellbeing centre. We are grateful for the support and to be a part of this campaign.”

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, said: “Halo Children’s Foundation play a vital role in their local community, ensuring children and their families have the support they need at such a difficult time.”

“We’re proud to support the organisation and to be part of the new hub and wellness centre, which will be so impactful for families navigating their grief journeys.”

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

We're pleased to announce the Build Up Foundation as the second finalist of our 2026 Community Heroes initiative, recognising the charity’s dedication and positive impact on young people across London.

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

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

Set up in 2014, Build Up Foundation was established with a goal to create a training programme that pushes young people beyond their comfort zones and helps them develop fundamental life skills.

The organisation works to support children in London, aged 10-25, to improve the spaces that they live in. The charity works in neighbourhoods affected by poverty and deprivation, to identify community spaces in need of care and redesign.

Youth workers, builders and designers come together to physically build improvements into these spaces, transforming public spaces whilst also teaching young people hands-on practical skills, teamwork and confidence.

Thanks to the win, Build Up Foundation has already secured £2,000 to spend in its local store, Selco Canning Town on Cody Road. They will use the credit to purchase materials such as timber, fixings and tools which will help the organisation create visible, lasting change and ensure young people can continue to learn construction skills safely.

Huan Rimington, Build Up Director, said: “Being crowned as a Community Hero has come as amazing news and is going to make a big difference to the work Build Up do supporting young people aged 10-25 to improve the places they live.”

“We’ll use the Community Heroes prize money to pay for materials to build a new space for young people this summer. Thank you, Selco!”

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, said: “Build Up Foundation really stood out to us at Selco and is a great example of the kinds of organisations Community Heroes was created to support.”

“The way they improve public spaces, whilst also teaching the next generation valuable construction skills, is admirable and we’re proud to now be a part of the work they do.”

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