📣 Customer announcement: Easter opening🐰🐣We’re closed for general enquiries and non urgent repairs over Easter from 5pm Thursday 17 April until 9am Tuesday 22 April.
You can still report emergency repairs during this time on 01226 787878. (Please note that it may take us longer to answer calls as we have fewer staff on duty). If you have a non-urgent repair, you can use our free app to report it. 🛠️📞
The Choice Based Lettings advert will be published as usual on at midnight Thursday 17 April and will remain open until Tuesday 22 April until 5pm 🏘️
Berneslai Homes and our partners have been lending a helping hand to the Autism Allotments project in Thurnscoe. As part of our employer supported volunteering (ESV) programme - ‘Can Do Crew’, more than thirty volunteer colleagues have given up their time and skills to help with the community project that was founded by local couple Michael and Paul Atwal-Brice.
The couple, whose oldest twin sons are autistic and have epilepsy and learning difficulties, wanted to create a safe and supportive space for autistic people to learn and spend time together. Included in their ambitious plans were sensory raised beds, wheelchair accessible paving, a wooden cabin to host workshops and other group activities, and a wildflower meadow and mini forest to encourage wildlife.
Since early 2024, they’ve been asking local businesses to come forward to help. Along with our partner suppliers Ideal Heating and Jewson Partnership Solutions, we’ve supported the project with funding and materials worth £1,800, and over two days, representatives from all three organisations have racked up around 140 volunteer hours, worth £2,310.
Together we helped to clear overgrown brambles, mend fences, fill raised beds, establish new plants, and even created a large size bug hotel to attracts insect and smaller animals such as hedgehogs, providing them with safety and shelter.
Dave Fullen, Executive Director of Customer and Estate Services at Berneslai Homes, said: “As soon as we heard about Autism Allotments, we wanted to support this fantastic project. The allotments are being used and loved by residents and we’re looking forward to continuing our work together, making a positive difference and a lasting legacy for local families.”
Paul Atwal-Brice, Co-founder of Autism Allotments, said: “This project has always been about groups, workplaces, and communities coming together to create something truly special. We’re so pleased to have Berneslai Homes and their partners on board helping us to offer a beautiful and safe space for learning and getting experience of gardening skills, or simply relaxing and feeling calm and regulated in the space which is so important for neurodiverse people.”
Autism Allotments is open for volunteers and hosts a parent and carers support group every Wednesday from 10am.
You can find out more about the Autism Allotments project on their social media channels www.instagram.com/autism.allotments and www.facebook.com/AutismAllotments
10th floor, Gateway Plaza, off Sackville St, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S70 2RD
Berneslai Homes Limited is a company controlled by Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council. A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, number 4548803