FORTH Valley Sensory Centre has been given a £20,000 makeover.

This has been made possible thanks to staff and donations from TSB Falkirk, Mitie Property Management, electrical contractors Arthur McKay and recycled furnishing firm, Go Green.

The works, which were carried out over a long weekend, have led to a dramatic improvement in the centre café and waiting area.

The completion was officially signalled by Miss Janet Service, 93, from Falkirk who is one of TSB’s longest standing customers.

She officially ‘cut the ribbon’ on the newly refurbished hall which is being re-named The TSB Suite.

Greig Fowlis, TSB Falkirk Bank Manager, said: “Our staff had a fantastic day cleaning, painting and working hard to get the centre looking fantastic.

"We’ve raised over £1000 in branch through bake sales, walks and cycling and it is great to see that money going to such a good cause.

“We are always looking for new ways to help the local community and after an off the cuff question about seating, we have sourced a number of items from other branches and it’s amazing to see the difference they have made.

"All our staff wish the centre and all those who use it all the best and we hope they enjoy the new look.

"It’s a great facility doing important work in the community and we’re delighted to have given our support.”

Tommy Logan, TSB property senior engineering facilities manager, said: "What a fantastic project.

"It was great to have the TSB property team working with the local branch here in Falkirk to enhance an already brilliant community base at Forth Valley Sensory Centre.

"The work we have all completed will ensure the users benefit over the next few years.

"Everyone had a great time contributing and a special thank you to our Property Management supply chain Mitie, Arthur McKay and Go Green.

"One team all working together for the benefit of the local community."

In addition to new seating for hall 1 along with fresh paint and new chairs for the waiting area, the café has also been extensively updated with a new floor, lighting and sound deadening roof tiles in order to make it easier for people with hearing loss to follow conversations.

Lights and a TV were donated and installed by Arthur McKay while flooring and new shelving unit to house centre user crafts for sale were installed by Mitie.

Ryan O’Rourke, project manager for Mitie Property Management, said: “We were delighted to help out at the centre with this work and it was good to get our partners involved too.

"We estimate the total cost would have been around £20,000 and the café and waiting areas have a new, bright look.

"Safe, non-slip flooring and the new shelving means it really looks as good as the food tastes now.

"A huge congratulations to everyone who donated their time and gave their weekend to undertake some not insignificant works with the minimal disruption to centre services.”

The centre café is open to the public from 8.45am every weekday serving a range of hot and cold food including homemade soups and specials.

Halls can be booked for private or corporate meetings for up to 100 guests. 

The hope is the new look will help increase footfall to the centre.

Jacquie Winning, Forth Valley Sensory centre manager, said: “We are so pleased that all these different companies came together to make a momentous difference to our centre.

"The feedback has been amazingly positive already. 

"A huge thank you to Greig, Tommy, Ryan and all their staff and partners for everything they have done.

“The café is a social enterprise and our halls are an important revenue stream for us in a time when fundraising is increasingly difficult.

"We’d like to invite anyone looking for a new place to visit or hold an event to give us a try.”

For more information on activities, like Forth Valley Sensory Centre on Facebook or follow @FVSensorycentre on Twitter.