Lakes Showering Spaces and national merchant Graham joined forces recently to arrange the supply and installation of new showering facilities at a women’s centre in Gloucester.

The Nelson Trust is a safe haven for vulnerable women affected by abuse, addiction and trauma, with four centres across the South West. The centres are a lifeline for many women as well as providing basic comforts such showering and washing amenities.

Lakes initiated the support with the donation of a showering space and tray and turned to Graham for help with the installation. Using its in-house team of designers and Elite installer network, Graham arranged for all the design, plumbing and fitting. But it didn’t stop there. Graham then approached other suppliers too and support for the Trust grew with donations of furniture and sanitaryware from Roper Rhodes, Bluetooth ceiling light, grab rails and shower seat from HiB Ltd, wall panelling and flooring from International Decorative Surfaces (IDS) and additional consumables, including a towel warmer, from Graham’s Evesham branch.

Lisa Newman from The Nelson Trust comments: “We were kindly approached by Mike Tattam from Lakes when he heard about our need for a new shower in our Gloucester Women’s centre. Mike took time out to show us around Lakes showroom in Tewkesbury and explain the benefits of each showering space so we could choose one that would best support the need of our clients. Accessibility, safety and maintenance were key criteria so it was really helpful to see the range of options.

“Offering showers at our centres is one of our basic support services but it’s also quite often an entry point into someone starting to care about themselves more, and an opportunity for us to show them other ways in which the centre can help them. It’s easy to take showers for granted, but for many women who visit our centre a shower is a luxury. I can’t tell you just how much of a gift all of this is to us and all our clients. A huge thanks from us all.” 

Lakes Sales & Marketing Director, Mike Tattam, adds: “It’s an honour to support the Nelson Trust and to highlight the efforts of smaller charities, who do a tremendous job in supporting local communities. It’s challenging times for everyone at the moment, so it’s more important than ever that people feel there are safe places they can turn to in their hour of need. Our combined efforts and charitable giving is testament to the great industry we work in. An industry that cares and always goes the extra mile to deliver.”

Find out more about The Nelson Trust at www.nelsontrust.com. If you’d like to support the Trust visit www.justgiving.com/thenelsontrust.