The company also called on three former work experience students, currently studying at South and City College, to use their skills in giving a new kitchen to Acorns Children’s Hospice, in Selly Oak. Local students Ellie King, 21, Harry Taylor, 24, and Joshua Coton, 19, were able to join forces with Willmott Dixon to renew the kitchen’s ceiling tiles, upgrade the lighting system, fit new gas hobs and extractor fans, and replace the kitchen doors.

Ellie, Harry and Joshua came through Willmott Dixon’s award-winning Opening Doors work experience programme, which gives nearly 200 people a year vital experience of the workplace. It's a company-wide initiative to encourage lifelong learning and allow people to learn new skills.

Ellie King said: “It’s been great to be back working with Willmott Dixon and to help a local charity organisation at the same time. I really enjoyed my work placement with the company and have thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity to practice my new skills.”

Willmott Dixon Customer and Community Officer for Birmingham North, Jenny Jones, said: “We’ve been thrilled working with the students on this project and would like to work with them again in the future. Willmott Dixon offers so many learning and training opportunities through our Opening Doors programme, to support people looking to pursue a career in the construction industry. This is also the fourth year that we’ve supported Acorns during their Clean and Clear Week and it’s been fantastic to build on our relationship with such a prominent local charity, who do wonderful work in the community.”

Chris Reed from Acorns Children’s Hospice, said: “It costs £750 to fund a day of care for a child in the hospice. We are very grateful for all the help given as the money saved on repair and maintenance work means more funds available to support life limited children in the area.” Acorns Children’s Hospice in Selly Oak, Birmingham provides 24 hour specialist care for life threatened children and young people who are not expected to reach adulthood, and their families.

Mick Williamson, managing director of Willmott Dixon Partnerships said; “This is very much part of our ethos called Transforming Communities, which is about how we can make a real, positive difference to the lives of people living locally. We want to play an active part in delivering initiatives that leave real legacy and recently wrote a report, called Transforming Communities, to share ideas and help organisations deliver sustainable growth to help communities through these current austere times.”

Willmott Dixon Partnerships is currently working with Birmingham City Council to repair and maintain 60,000 properties in the city. It’s two contracts for the north and south of the city includes the areas of Edgbaston, Hall Green, Northfield, Selly Oak, Ladywood, Erdington, Perry Bar and Sutton Coldfield