Posted: 17 November 2023

Case Study: KOUCH & DIY SOS: The Big Build for Children in Need

KOUCH donates made-to-measure outdoor modular seating, to Treetops Hospice in Risley. Helping to create a dedicated children’s bereavement centre as part of the BBC One series ‘DIY SOS: The Big Build for Children in Need’.

Treetops is an amazing charity and at KOUCH, we are honoured to be a part of such a great project. Working closely with the team, KOUCH provided an innovative weatherproof modular sofa to create a comfortable, relaxing space outside the building where children can sit, relax and talk.

One of the current children said:

“Walking into a building for the first time can be really scary.  Having a nice space outside where we can talk will really help”

Every year, Treetops provides over 900 counselling sessions for local children, some as young as 7 years old, who are struggling after the death of a loved one.

The project

The DIY SOS team headed to Derbyshire to build a bespoke children’s counselling and therapy centre for traumatically bereaved children and young people. The build will hugely benefit bereaved children and their families across Derbyshire. 

Currently, all Treetops young people have to access their counselling or support groups in a space originally set up with only adults in mind, with no dedicated child-friendly communal areas or even toilets. 

The new centre will be entirely focused on the children they help. From the minute they come through the doors they’ll be made to feel welcome and safe, improving the vital care, support and counselling they receive during some of the worst moments of their lives.

Children in Need has supported its children’s services for over 10 years, helping hundreds of vulnerable children and families during that time through counselling and emotional support, along with crucial training for staff members. This year the hospice celebrates its 40th anniversary.

Why did KOUCH get involved?

Mike Chester, Managing Director at KOUCH / Conker Furniture 

“Treetops is my local charity and they do such an amazing job, helping people through their darkest times. 

“My home is less than a mile from Treetops and our factories are only 10 minutes away.

When I heard about DIY SOS coming to Risley, I knew we could help.

“We embraced the attitude of Nick, Gaby and the DIY SOS team to accelerate the development of our outdoor sofa range KOUCH, and launched the company 6 months ahead of schedule to be able to help!

“I lost my father in law very quickly, only 2 weeks from diagnosis to him passing away. We are exceptionally fortunate to have a close family, we were there to support one another. Some of these children don’t have anyone to help them, that’s where Treetops step in.

“Having an outdoor space for people to have sessions, or just somewhere comfortable to sit and be quiet, will be a huge benefit for everyone.

“I am so happy that we have been able to get KOUCH over the line for Treetops and I am incredibly proud to be associated with this wonderful local charity and the DIY SOS team.”

Get in touch

If you would like to learn more about KOUCH, then please take a look at our products. Or, if you have any questions then please get in touch with one of our friendly team members.