North Star and Dunningham Decorators have helped breathe new life back into a house for Middlesbrough based charity, Open Door North East.

Local Housing Association North Star and decorating contractor Dunningham Decorators, have recently strengthened their commitment to help support local communities by decorating an entire property for Open Door North East, a charity that provides support and housing services to refugees and asylum seekers.

North Star work hard to provide services and create opportunities that really help make a difference, and aim to work with likeminded organisations that share their commitment to social value.

North Star have recently teamed up with Dunningham Decorators and as part of North Star’s approach to social value, Dunningham Decorators agreed to offer their services, free of charge to help decorate one of Open Door’s properties.

Melissa Hamoudi, Procurement Officer at North Star, said: “It’s very important to us that we work in partnership with organisations who share our values and are equally committed to helping support our local communities.

“Dunningham gave up four days of their time to decorate the property in Middlesbrough; this is vital support that allows Open Door to continue providing such a valuable service. We’re proud to be able to support a charity that improves the wellbeing, livelihoods and integrations of those seeking sanctuary in the UK.”

Gary Deighton, Contracts Manager at Dunningham Decorators said: “Dunningham Decorators Limited pride ourselves in being fully committed to investing in North East enterprise schemes and projects which provide for the community.

“We are especially committed to contributing to ‘hard to reach’ sections of the community. We are keen to improve facilities for the wider community and we have contributed by carrying out works free of charge, helping to sustain the life of the properties for future years, whilst also providing the community with resources they can take pride in.”

Paul Catterall, Chief Executive Officer of Open Door North East, said “It has been such a blessing to us to have the guys from Dunningham Decorators come and decorate our new house and would like to thank everyone involved in the project.

“The house itself has been donated by an individual benefactor who wanted to help us make a difference to the lives of those seeking sanctuary in the North East. We really value our relationship with North Star and their social value initiative. Linking us up with Dunningham Decorators hasn’t just been an amazing practical help but has been such an encouragement to all our staff and volunteers working to make refugees welcome in Teesside.”