Furloughed Safestyle staff volunteer in the community

A large number of employees have signed up to the NHS volunteer scheme, while others are delivering food and medicine to vulnerable members of the community.

Mike Gallacher, Safestyle’s chief executive, said: “Some staff are NHS volunteers and other people are driving and helping. People are shopping for neighbours across all our communities.

“I think our staff are hugely impressive and they are out there doing their bit. We have furloughed 97 per cent of our staff and their commitment to their communities is fantastic.

“They are stepping up and playing their part and we’re encouraging them to do so. We’re very proud of them.”

The Bradford-based firm is in talks to find out what it could manufacture at its double glazing factory in Sheffield, which is currently closed.

Mr Gallacher said: “We also have a lot of vans across the country.

“We are trying to find out how those 300 vans, of which 70 are in Yorkshire, could be of use, how they could be used for food deliveries or picking up people.”

Safestyle suspended its operations on March 23 and shut down all activity across the UK the next morning.

“It’s important given the huge number of staff and customers we have that we put their safety first,” said Mr Gallacher.

“In a normal day we would interact with thousands of customers and fit windows in hundreds of homes. So in suspending our operations we are playing our part in protecting the NHS and saving lives.

“We have apologised for the impact on our customers and are staying in touch with the thousands who are awaiting the installation of their windows and doors through a small team of staff working from home. Customers have been incredibly understanding and supportive and we are pencilling in new dates for their fittings.”

Safestyle has 600 staff and 1,200 contractors. Only 20 employees are still working.

“They are contacting customers and providing an emergency service,” said Mr Gallacher.

“If an elderly person needs a door securing or their window is broken, we are endeavouring to ensure we get people out to sort that for them.”

Lynn Day, who usually runs recruitment at Safestyle, said she was inspired by her niece, who is a nurse, to volunteer for the NHS. Ms Day is now the first point of call in her area, assisting vulnerable people in daily chores such as shopping.

Brett Feltham, a Safestyle surveyor, is assisting the elderly and vulnerable in the Hayes area for Health Hayes Volunteers Group.

Mr Feltham said: “I’ve been doing a lot of voluntary work for old people collecting prescriptions and food shopping around my area and for my relatives.”

Marketing manager Mike Smailes is collecting food from friends and relatives to take to the local food bank. He is also delivering important rations to those who cannot travel.

Mr Smailes has involved most of his work team using WhatsApp to increase the network of donations and keep the food bank topped up.

Direct marketing manager Rehan Butt is offering his services to local, retired neighbours for home help or food delivery services. Mr Butt is now mowing the lawn for some of his elderly neighbours.

Sales leader Azmat Ali is volunteering his services to neighbours who are on the highly vulnerable risk list.

“Our neighbours call me and post their requirements through the letter box.

“I have benefited from the huge personal satisfaction in helping out my neighbours or those in need who need a little more support. My work includes daily shopping and starting elderly neighbours vehicles to prevent car batteries from going dead.

“We have set up a neighbourhood WhatsApp group with 30 households to offer services or help each other out if needed.”

Administration manager Helen Myers, an accomplished baker, is making cakes for vulnerable people in her community.

“Helen is famous in Safestyle for creating amazing celebration cakes in the Bradford office,” said Mr Gallacher.

Ms Myers said: “We, as a family, decided to spend some of our time during the crisis doing some creative baking, which is a passion of mine.

“In my neighbourhood there are some very vulnerable people who cannot get out and do their daily chores so we decided to surprise many of them with home baked cakes and buns to keep their spirits up, something which we now do three times every week.

“The smiles and appreciation we receive is very rewarding for myself and my boys. As a community we will get through this by showing we all care.”

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