16:46:35
I first met Ruth and Kevin Bell last October, the Greeniversity was just an idea then and Nick Goodman from the GPP said “talk to these guys, they might be able to help”. Since that time we’ve been working in partnership. Ruth became a member of the Greeniversity steering group (now the Greeniversity board) she brought her volunteers along to meeting to gain experience and they have hosted several Greeniversity classes at their community interest company’s premises.
Their premises are called ‘Bestdeal4baby’ which started life in one of the couple’s bedrooms in their home in Dogsthorpe by making use of unwanted equipment, furniture and clothing, now they transform lives. The project quickly outgrew the home and commercial premises were taken up in Norfolk Road Peterborough, today, just ten months since that first meeting, I was lucky enough to be invited to the open day of the new premises in Newark Avenue Dogsthorpe.
Now I’ve always been impressed by Ruth’s down to earth can do, just get on with it attitude but what the couple have achieved in this building in just ten weeks really takes the biscuit! To be fair a generous description of the place might have been something like a rundown dump before Mrs Bell waved her magic wand now it is a vibrant building that sings with life and positive attitude.
It hosts a children’s clothes shop full to the brim with beautiful attire at next to nothing cost for all ages & I mustn’t forget to mention all the baby equipment that’s there as well. The new conference room has swish blue seating that would make any executive proud. The loos have amazing doors that wouldn’t be out of place in a plush rustic restaurant and I still haven’t mentioned the computer suit – incredible ‘Bestdeal4baby’ has achieved online status and is offering free computer courses and also will providing a free crèche for anyone on one of those courses. If that’s not enough they are also offering training in health and safety and food hygiene! There is also an impressive community cafe run by volunteers with a spread to rival any establishment in the city with prices that really are as good as the food on offer.
Ok why do I think this is all so great, well you see every item in the place has been sourced sustainably, the loo doors used to be pallets, the flooring was an end of line going to landfill, the computers were destined for a tip in India until the Bells stepped in to rehome and reuse all this stuff – I think they need a medal or perhaps two all this work as been done by volunteers with no building experience and completed in just ten weeks!!!
Ruth and Kevin you’re amazing and I wish you all the good luck and prosperity you deserve. Well done ‘Bestdeal4baby’.
Ruth and a volunteer in the new pc suite.
And don't forget if you want to use this stunning new venue for you're Greeniversity class you can access the booking details through the Greeniversity website.
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