Helston’s Epworth Hall has been given a makeover for the last two weeks by volunteers from Job Centre Plus.

The 18-strong team has completely repainted the inside of the hall in Coinagehall Street, while also tackling the outside area.

Here the volunteers, who are all looking for jobs, have cleared the garden and put bits of old carpet – donated by Robert Williams of JC Williams in Meneage Street – on top of the ground to stop the weeds coming through until spring, as well as created furniture by hand from old wooden pallets.

Mark Upton, chairman of the hall, described the redecorating inside as “a massive task” and said: “It’s one we couldn’t tackle with two or three volunteers on a Saturday afternoon.”

The voluntary work came after the group took part in a two-week course to obtain their Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card. This puts their details a database of those working in the construction industry that have shown an agreed level of occupational competence.

At the end of the course they were given the chance to carry out some practical voluntary work using their skills, with the Epworth Hall working in partnership with Cornwall College that teaches the course.