A HEALTH and wellbeing project has been awarded £3,000 by a global engineering giant with a Basingstoke base to help tackle social exclusion.

Church Crookham & Fleet Men’s Shed has been awarded the money by the VINCI UK Foundation - of which Basingstoke-based Axians UK is part of - to help upgrade and secure their new ‘shed’.

The organisation promotes health and wellbeing by preventing social exclusion through practical activity as members come together to collaborate on projects.

The financial support provided by the VINCI UK Foundation will be used to build a security fence and install CCTV cameras at its new ‘shed’ of community inclusion.

The foundation is supported by Basingstoke-headquartered Axians UK, part of the VINCI Energies group. Axians sponsor Andrew Mulheirn will volunteer his time to oversee the practical work needed to complete the project.

Rochdi Ziyat, board director, VINCI UK Foundation and CEO, VINCI Energies UK & ROI, said: “The support provided by the staff at VINCI’s businesses, as well as the generous funding grants provided, is what sets the VINCI UK Foundation apart as a supporter of community cohesion.

“For a second year, the foundation will make a real difference to the lives of the most excluded in society and help to strengthen communities across the UK.”

The VINCI UK Foundation, funded by VINCI businesses across the UK and was launched in 2016, supports causes, groups and charities which work to tackle exclusion, foster community integration and improve access to employment and housing.

Allan Walker, Chairman, Church Crookham and Fleet Men’s Shed, added: “Our new shed will allow our members to come together and collaborate on practical projects, giving them a way to engage with people in the community and boost their health and wellbeing.

“Financial support from the VINCI UK Foundation, as well as the time volunteered by our Axians project Sponsor, will be invaluable in helping us to deliver a vibrant and stimulating space for our members.”

Businesses supporting the Foundation include VINCI Energies UK & ROI, VINCI Construction UK, VINCI Concessions, Eurovia, Bachy Soletanche, VINCI Construction Grands Projects, Nuvia and Freyssinet.