ADCO assistance creating ‘immediate’ impact at Salvo sites

4 days ago
4 min read

BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE

Long-term Salvation Army partner ADCO Constructions has been offering practical assistance at the company’s own expense at Salvation Army centres across the nation, most recently in Perth, Western Australia.

ADCO Constructions is one of Australia’s oldest and most established construction companies and maintains a deep philanthropic and community-focused approach.

ADCO Community Days are an opportunity for ADCO people to step away from day-to-day roles to contribute their skills, time and energy to organisations including The Salvation Army, supported by the Brinsmead Hill Family Foundation, chaired by ADCO Director Tom Hill.

Tom described the community days as a ‘privilege’ and said that being involved together across the nation felt incredibly special for the partnership.

“[We are] able to touch people in these communities by our projects, and why not extend that to doing it in a charitable way,” he said. “Anyone can give money. It is a noble thing. But I think when you give an expertise or a specialty and gather trades together and deploy your own people’s time, it is really rewarding. It is rewarding for us.

“Hopefully, it is rewarding for The Salvation Army. I think it is a win-win.”

The projects ADCO recently undertook in Perth included a playground update at Graceville Women’s Refuge, a dining room refurbishment at Harry Hunter Rehabilitation Centre and the beginnings of a Yarning Circle at Bridge House in Highgate.

Tom said the significance of the centres at which the team works became obvious at the Perth sites, and they take the value of the spaces very seriously. He said over the smoko break or at lunchtime, it was common to see clients who had experienced domestic violence, and that this made those assisting from ADCO quite emotional.

“It can be so moving … it really provides the oomph behind why we do it, and you might lay that carpet a bit faster or speed up your work that afternoon,” he said. “We’re a big supporter of the Red Shield Appeal as well, and we try and get our people to attend that and [meeting clients onsite] might encourage them to give some money as well. It is very motivating.”

TSA Philanthropy Relationship Manager Earle Johnston said there was real heart behind what the ADCO leadership and staff do, both on a community and philanthropic level. He said their generosity was on multiple levels, and that the recent community day in WA was managed thoroughly and to a high standard.

“It ran like a well-oiled machine on the day; nothing was left to chance. It was a really streamlined thing,” he said. “They’re really committed to quality because that reflects the business that they do. It is quality, it’s enthusiastic, it’s a great way of giving back to their staff and to their suppliers.

“It reinforces a really strong culture that’s within their organisation, and I think that flows from the top.”

At the Graceville Women’s Refuge, the team installed new turf and reticulation, a picnic setting with a pergola and some vegetation works.

At Bridge House, the team undertook a refresh of shared spaces, replacing old clotheslines, repainting the communal lounge and relocating planter boxes.

At the Harry Hunter Rehabilitation Centre, the team delivered multiple upgrades, including new flooring, new seating, ceiling fans, kitchen updates, painting, air conditioner repairs and donation of technology such as a new fridge, TVs, computers, and iPads.

The ADCO team working on the dining room space at Harry Hunter Recovery Centre. Image: Supplied

Managers from the various centres provided comments on the transformation, and what it meant to the clients.

“The staff and participants at the Harry Hunter Recovery Centre are so grateful to ADCO and other partners for contributing their time, energy and resources towards the refurbishment of a number of our communal spaces,” Harry Hunter management said.

“The positive impact of the new dining room environment on participants and staff has been significant. We have had so much feedback noting an amplified sense of value, care, and inspiration in the community because of this project.”

At Graceville Women’s Refuge, management cited the immediate and meaningful impact of ADCO’s contribution, telling how when an urgent need arose for a client and her children to access emergency accommodation, the ADCO team quickly assembled beds, a dining table and chairs and ensured the unit was ready to house the family that afternoon.

The playground and outdoor space at Graceville Women’s Refuge. Images: Supplied

“This practical support had an immediate and meaningful impact,” management wrote.

“What may have seemed like a simple task enabled a woman and her children to access safety without delay during a time of crisis. It demonstrated the volunteers’ flexibility, compassion and understanding of the importance of responding quickly to the needs of families experiencing vulnerability.”

Bridge House management praised the ADCO team for making an “incredible” start on the Yarning Circle, and said they were greatly appreciative and inspired by the generosity, kindness, and practical support shown by the ADCO team.