NICE day for veteran

(Mr Brown and our team before decoration)

We’ve come to the rescue of an elderly RAF veteran who desperately needed help around the home.

Ernest Brown is now 90 and has lived in his home in Blackstone Walk, Harpurhey, for 40 years.

His living room was in desperate need of decoration – the wallpaper was peeling away from the wall and the décor was very dated.

With no family around to help him, Mr Brown didn’t know what to do. He called us to see if we could help.

Unfortunately, we no longer have big redecorating budgets so we couldn’t really help him officially.

But housing officer Nike Awodjii was so moved by what she saw that she wanted to make a difference.

“I could see Mr Brown really needed a helping hand. Decorating himself would have been too difficult - it’s a huge living room and he has no family to help him.”

First new wallpaper in 40 years

Nike gathered together a band of employees who volunteered to help. They stripped off the tired old wallpaper and replaced it with a bright modern design. They also donated new curtains, giving the room a much cosier look and feel.

Mr Brown, who served in the RAF for seven years, said: “These ladies have really helped. The old stuff had been up for so long and it’s made a big difference. I’m very lucky.”

Mr Brown And Nike After Decoration

All employees at Northwards Housing get a day out of the office every year to do something NICE (Northwards Improving the Community and Environment) in north Manchester.

If you can think of a project that Northwards employees could help with, email Kirsty with the details: kirsty.beresford@northwardshousing.co.uk.