Selco News

Salford Foodbank has been announced as our second runner-up for May in our 2026 Community Heroes initiative, recognising the charity’s dedication and positive impact on the local people of Salford.

Standing out amongst the applications from May, the charity was selected by a panel including celebrity judge and TV tradesperson, Rob Bent. The campaign was re-launched this year, after research found that half of Brits (48%) say community spaces have disappeared in their neighbourhoods.

Salford Foodbank supports local people facing hardship by providing emergency food parcels containing three days’ worth of nutritionally balanced food. Through its seven centres across Salford, the charity distributes around 250 parcels each week, helping up to 500 people, including families and children.

Thanks to the Community Heroes win, Salford Foodbank has secured £1,000 to spend in its local store, Selco Salford on North Phoebe Street. This will be used to purchase the necessary supplies to refurbish the reception area, kitchen and office space at the foodbank warehouse, where the space was originally a plumber’s merchant and lacks a welcoming feel for its clients.

Alia Jones, Founder and Chief Executive, said: “We’re so grateful to be selected as a Community Heroes winner. For us, this means we can purchase tools and equipment needed to refurbish our foodbank warehouse to make it more welcoming for our visitors.”

“Selco’s support is contributing to our mission to feed people in crisis weekly, providing nutrition for families who otherwise would go hungry.”

Now in its sixth year – and with a bigger prize fund than ever before at £62,000 – the Selco Community Heroes initiative is designed to benefit small community projects that are building brighter futures for their local areas.

Simon Humpage, Head of Multichannel Marketing, said: “Salford Foodbank is there for the local community when it really needs them, working to combat poverty and hunger. At Selco, we’re proud to support their work and hope our contribution of materials helps the space to become more inviting for those who use it.”

Local charities and community projects are encouraged to find out more about Community Heroes and apply online.

Hayes-based organisation Halo Children’s Foundation has been named as the latest runner-up in our 2026 Community Heroes initiative, recognising the charity’s dedication and positive impact on children and their families.

Standing out amongst the applications from May, the charity was selected by a panel including celebrity judge and TV tradesperson, Rob Bent. The campaign was re-launched this year, after research found that half of Brits (48%) say community spaces have disappeared in their neighbourhoods.

Halo Children’s Foundation is a charity which supports children, as well as their families, when a loved one sadly dies. As part of their vital support work, they offer services free of charge to their community, so that they do not have to grieve alone. These services include counselling, art and play therapy, school support, funded trips and even a bereavement book library.

Halo Children’s Foundation is at the beginning stages of setting up a new hub and wellness centre, and thanks to the Community Heroes win, they’ve secured £1,000 to spend in our Selco Hayes store to support. This will be used to purchase the necessary supplies to refurbish and decorate the space to make it warm and welcoming for its users.

Alia Jones, Founder and Chief Executive, said: “We are honoured at HALO to be recognised as one of Selco’s Community Heroes winners for May. This is a wonderful acknowledgment of the dedication of our team, volunteers and supporters, and all the efforts to make a difference.”

“The grant will help us continue making a positive impact in our community, expand our reach, and support even more people through our ongoing projects and services, as we work on setting up a bereavement support and wellbeing centre. We are grateful for the support and to be a part of this campaign.”

Now in its sixth year – and with a bigger prize fund than ever before at £62,000 – the Selco Community Heroes initiative is designed to benefit small community projects that are building brighter futures for their local areas.

Simon Humpage, Head of Multichannel Marketing, said: “Halo Children’s Foundation play a vital role in their local community, ensuring children and their families have the support they need at such a difficult time.”

“We’re proud to support the organisation and to be part of the new hub and wellness centre, which will be so impactful for families navigating their grief journeys.”

Local charities and community projects are encouraged to find out more about Community Heroes and apply online.

We're pleased to announce the Build Up Foundation as the second finalist of our 2026 Community Heroes initiative, recognising the charity’s dedication and positive impact on young people across London.

Standing out amongst the applications from last month, the charity was selected by a panel including celebrity judge and TV tradesperson, Rob Bent. The campaign was re-launched this year after research found that half of Brits (48%) say community spaces have disappeared in their neighbourhoods.

The Build Up Foundation will join seven more finalists selected between April and November to face a public vote in December to decide 2026’s Community Heroes winner, who will receive £15,000 in cash.

Set up in 2014, Build Up Foundation was established with a goal to create a training programme that pushes young people beyond their comfort zones and helps them develop fundamental life skills.

The organisation works to support children in London, aged 10-25, to improve the spaces that they live in. The charity works in neighbourhoods affected by poverty and deprivation, to identify community spaces in need of care and redesign.

Youth workers, builders and designers come together to physically build improvements into these spaces, transforming public spaces whilst also teaching young people hands-on practical skills, teamwork and confidence.

Thanks to the win, Build Up Foundation has already secured £2,000 to spend in its local store, Selco Canning Town on Cody Road. They will use the credit to purchase materials such as timber, fixings and tools which will help the organisation create visible, lasting change and ensure young people can continue to learn construction skills safely.

Huan Rimington, Build Up Director, said: “Being crowned as a Community Hero has come as amazing news and is going to make a big difference to the work Build Up do supporting young people aged 10-25 to improve the places they live.”

“We’ll use the Community Heroes prize money to pay for materials to build a new space for young people this summer. Thank you, Selco!”

Now in its sixth year – and with a bigger prize fund than ever before at £62,000 – the Selco Community Heroes initiative is designed to benefit small community projects that are building brighter futures for their local areas.

Simon Humpage, Head of Multichannel Marketing, said: “Build Up Foundation really stood out to us at Selco and is a great example of the kinds of organisations Community Heroes was created to support.”

“The way they improve public spaces, whilst also teaching the next generation valuable construction skills, is admirable and we’re proud to now be a part of the work they do.”

Local charities and community projects are encouraged to find out more about Community Heroes and apply online.

We're pleased to announce the SSAFA as a runner-up in our 2026 Community Heroes initiative, recognising the charity’s dedication and positive impact on its local area of Wimbledon, London.

Battling against more than 300 other applicants during April, the charity was selected by a panel of judges including TV tradesperson Rob Bent, who launched the campaign with us in March this year, after research found that half* (48%) of Brits say community spaces have disappeared in their neighbourhoods.

SSAFA provides support for past and present members of the armed forces and their families, helping them ease into life post-service. They support individuals facing challenges such as mental health struggles, debt, homelessness and disability through their services, which include accommodation, emotional and financial support, disability support and mentoring. SSAFA reaches individuals at vulnerable moments, helping them to regain stability and independence after military service.

Thanks to the win, SSAFA has secured £1,000 to spend in its local store, Selco Wimbledon, which it plans to use to continue to enhance the services they offer. The building materials purchased with this funding will prove particularly beneficial to improve the living conditions for the former servicepeople living within SSAFA housing, helping them to have a comfortable and safe space to adjust to life after the armed forces.

Julie Parlett, Housing Manager at The Royal Homes, said: “SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, is thrilled with this Community Heroes award, which shows the high regard the UK’s Armed Forces - and our charity – are held in. Thank you to all at Selco; you’re helping us keep our promise that no-one in the military community will ever battle alone.”

Now in its sixth year – and with a bigger prize fund than ever before at £62,000 – our Selco Community Heroes initiative is designed to benefit small community projects that are building brighter futures for their local areas.

Simon Humpage, Head of Multichannel Marketing, said: “At Selco, we’re greatly moved by the work of SSAFA, how they support veterans and their families through some of life’s toughest moments and create a life-changing impact.

“Their dedication to the cause reflects the spirit of Community Heroes and the values that we’re passionate about supporting at Selco, which is why we’re proud to stand alongside them on their journey.”

Local charities and community projects are encouraged to find out more about Community Heroes and apply online.

We're pleased to announce Richmond-based organisation Reading Bridge CIC as a runner-up in our 2026 Community Heroes initiative, recognising the charity’s dedication and positive impact on literacy across the UK.

Battling against more than 300 other applicants during April, the charity was selected by a panel of judges including TV tradesperson Rob Bent, who launched the campaign with us in March this year, after research found that half* (48%) of Brits say community spaces have disappeared in their neighbourhoods.

Reading Bridge CIC is an organisation which aims to help children discover the joy that reading can bring whilst trying to close the literacy gap in the UK. They work nationally to identify schools in disadvantaged areas, to remove barriers to reading and to get books into the hands of children who need them most.

Thanks to the win, Reading Bridge CIC has secured £1,000 to spend in its local store, Selco Isleworth on Clock Tower Road, which will be used to purchase the paint, shelving and storage spaces necessary to create corners and library spaces in schools that currently don’t have dedicated spaces for reading. This funding will enable children to find a comfortable environment to fall in love with literature and to develop their knowledge.

Avni Vyas, Director at Reading Bridge CIC, said: “Being named a Selco Community Heroes runner-up is a wonderful recognition of everything Reading Bridge CIC stands for. At a time when children’s reading is at a 20-year low, every bookshelf we build and every book we gift brings us closer to a world where every child discovers the joy of reading. This prize will help us do exactly that.”

Now in its sixth year – and with a bigger prize fund than ever before at £62,000 – the Selco Community Heroes initiative is designed to benefit small community projects that are building brighter futures for their local areas.

Simon Humpage, Head of Multichannel Marketing, said “We are passionate about supporting organisations that create lasting positive change on a local level, and we’re delighted to recognise Reading Bridge CIC as one of our Community Heroes.

“It will be incredibly inspiring to see Selco materials transformed into welcoming spaces for children to learn and grow, whilst developing love for reading, helping to shape brighter opportunities for the next generation."

Local charities and community projects are encouraged to find out more about Community Heroes and apply online.

Reading Bridge CIC are currently raising funds to get a brand-new book into the hands of every child attending a state primary school in the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham.

We've announced the York Road Project as the first finalist of our 2026 Community Heroes initiative, recognising the charity’s dedication and positive impact on its local area of Woking, Surrey.

Battling against more than 300 other applicants during April, the charity was selected by a panel including celebrity judge and TV tradesperson Rob Bent, who launched the campaign with us in March this year, after research found that half of Brits (48%) say community spaces have disappeared in their neighbourhoods.

The York Road Project will join seven more winners selected between May and November to face a public vote in December to decide 2026’s Community Heroes winner, who will receive £15,000 in cash.

Set up in 2001, the York Road Project has since helped thousands of homeless people find a place to call home. It provides both short- and long-term accommodation, as well as supporting individuals through addiction, mental health and employment needs to address underlying struggles that led to their homelessness.

In 2025, the York Road Project found it would be faced with the loss of its main building, a 10-bed shelter that had provided short-term and emergency accommodation for its clients for nearly 30 years. Luckily, the charity was able to negotiate ownership of the building, ensuring its legacy could continue.

Thanks to the win, York Road Project has secured £2,000 to spend in its local store, Selco Guildford, on Slyfield Industrial Estate. This funding will be used to renovate its main building by transforming it into a high-quality shelter, allowing York Road Project to continue providing refuge and support for those experiencing homelessness in and around Woking.

Cherisse Dealtry, Chief Executive at York Road Project, said: “We are incredibly proud and grateful to be selected as April’s Community Heroes winner. This support from Selco will make a real difference to the people we work with, helping us to continue providing vital services and support within our community at York Road Project.”

Now in its sixth year – and with a bigger prize fund than ever before at £62,000 – the Selco Community Heroes initiative is designed to benefit small community projects that are building brighter futures for their local areas.

Simon Humpage, Head of MultiChannel Marketing, said: “Community Heroes is all about recognising organisations that make a real difference to local people, and York Road Project embodies exactly what the campaign stands for.

“The impact they have for those experiencing homelessness in Woking is life-changing, and we’re proud that Selco can help support the vital work they do for the community.”

Local charities and community projects are encouraged to find out more about Community Heroes and apply online.

We’re pleased to share that we’ve become an external shareholder in Building Materials Digital Services Ltd (BMDS), the innovative joint venture created by the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) and the National Merchant Buying Society (NMBS). The move marks a major step forward in supporting Data Yard, a new digital data pool designed to streamline and transform the way product information is shared across the building materials supply chain.

With ourselves and Travis Perkins PLC now confirmed as external shareholders, BMDS has reached 70% of its overall investment target, strengthening the foundations for a more unified digital infrastructure across the industry.

As part of this development, Commercial Director David Lennon has been appointed to the BMDS Board and will take up his position at the next meeting in December. His appointment ensures we will play an active role in supporting the strategic direction of Data Yard and the wider digital ambitions of BMDS.

Data Yard is designed to provide a single, standardised platform for managing and sharing product information between suppliers, merchants and customers.

Our involvement in Data Yard reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting digital solutions that improve operational efficiency and enhance customer service. As product data expectations continue to grow, industry-wide collaboration has never been more important.

By taking a shareholder role and joining the BMDS Board, we aim to help shape a platform that benefits everyone in the supply chain, from manufacturers and merchants to trade professionals and end customers.

We’re proud to be part of this forward-thinking initiative and look forward to contributing to its long-term success.

We were delighted to honour 50 Selco colleagues last week as they celebrated completing their apprenticeships at a special graduation ceremony.

The Class of 2025 donned traditional caps and gowns as they came together at the National Motorcycle Museum to mark their fantastic achievements and the dedication they’ve shown throughout their development journeys.

This year’s graduates have completed 11 different nationally recognised qualifications across a wide range of areas, from Retail and Selling to Leadership and specialist skills. And for the first time, more women than men have graduated with their qualifications – a brilliant milestone in our journey of inclusion and growth.

The celebration also marked another major milestone, with the first-ever cohort of Women in Leadership graduates completing their course. The programme is designed to support and inspire female colleagues to take the next step into management and leadership roles across the business.

HR Director Sally Kerr said: “The commitment, resilience and passion our apprentices have shown is nothing short of inspiring, with no two learning journeys the same.

“Their achievements highlight the power of lifelong learning and the inclusive development opportunities we have to offer at Selco – where 60% of this year’s graduates are women, representing both our stores and Support Centre.

“We’re incredibly proud of each and every graduate and look forward to seeing how the Class of 2025 continue to grow, lead and inspire others to explore the fantastic opportunities an apprenticeship at Selco can offer!”

The graduates received their awards from Chief Executive Officer Frank Elkins before marking the moment by throwing their caps into the air in celebration of all they’ve achieved.

There was also a special moment for our Wolverhampton store’s Tracey Devonport, who was named Apprentice of the Year for her outstanding commitment.

At Selco, we’re proud to offer colleagues opportunities to learn, develop and build genuine career paths. Apprenticeships play a key part in that journey by helping people across our 74 stores and Support Centre gain the skills, knowledge and confidence to take the next step.

Courses run for between 12 and 36 months and cover 16 key areas, including customer service, finance, leadership, technology, team performance and the environment.

Regional classroom sessions take place across the country, giving apprentices the chance to share experiences and learn together as they work towards their qualifications.

Earlier this year, we pledged to have more than 500 apprentices by 2030, showing our ongoing commitment to building future talent across Selco.

With the passion and talent shown by this year’s graduates, the future at Selco looks brighter than ever. Well done to all our graduates – we can’t wait to see what you achieve next!

Two children’s adventure play areas in Hackney are set to be revamped - thanks to our Community Heroes competition.

The Hackney Play Association is a charity in London which seeks to improve children and young people’s health and wellbeing through play. It runs two adventure playgrounds and puts on free after-school sessions and holiday provisions.

It was one of five winners of our Community Heroes scheme in September, and it will receive £1,000 worth of materials to complete much-needed works.

Hackney Play Association oversees upkeep of its building and playgrounds, with the donation of materials from us set to help complete the essential updates.

Association spokesperson Sianead Crawford said: “Our adventure playgrounds were formed more than 50 years ago and, as a charity, we are in charge of making sure they are in good working order.

“These playgrounds sit in the centre of the local community and we desperately need to refurbish our zip line and log cabin.

“The materials provided by Selco are going to be vital for us to complete these works. We cannot begin to explain our gratitude for giving Hackney Play Association a huge boost.”

The charity will spend the £1,000 of credit in its local Selco store, which is Canning Town on Cody Road.

Simon Humpage, Head of Multi-Channel Marketing at Selco, said: “September was a month with so many brilliant entries for our Community Heroes campaign - and this was a fine example.

“Hackney Play Association is vital to its local community, and the play areas keep children of all ages engaged and occupied. Both garden space and outdoor play areas are limited in areas of London, so these types of community play facilities are even more important.

“Awarding the charity with the materials to improve their facilities is exactly what Community Heroes is all about.

“Our campaign is now entering the exciting next phase, where we will shortlist 10 good causes to go before the public to win big cash prizes. We can’t wait to announce our finalists in the coming weeks.”

A Birmingham-based football club has secured funds to renovate its clubhouse - thanks to our Community Heroes competition.

Maypole Football Club, based in Solihull, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The team has landed £1,000 worth of building materials through the Community Heroes scheme to spend at their local Selco.

As part of the football club’s celebrations, it plans to renovate its facilities and it is in desperate need of supplies to complete the work.

Club spokesman Mukesh Hallan said: “We are a community-based football team that has been going for half a century.

“We do not discriminate on grounds of ability, so we may not win every match, but for us, it is all about taking part.

“We are so grateful to Selco for providing us with the supplies to renovate our clubhouse. Our motto is that every child should be able to play football, and better facilities makes this easier to do.”

Maypole has recently launched new girls and disabled football teams, which the club plans to enhance even further in the coming years.

The renovation is already under way, but the materials from Selco, which it will collect from the Solihull branch on Ashbourne Way, should enable the club to be able to complete the work.

September was the final month of our Community Heroes scheme. From the 40 monthly winners, two from each region will be shortlisted to make a final 10. An overall winner will be determined by a public vote.

The winner will receive a £10,000 cash prize, with the runner-up taking home £5,000 and third place winning £2,500.

Simon Humpage, Head of Multi-Channel Marketing at Selco, said: “Maypole FC in Birmingham is yet another worthy winner of our Community Heroes initiative. We are delighted to be able to provide them with the materials to complete their clubhouse renovation, for the benefit of so many young people in the area.

“Allowing clubs like Maypole the opportunity to improve their offering is exactly what Community Heroes is all about.

“Everyone at Selco is now really excited to be entering the next phase of the campaign, where our finalists will be revealed – and our big winners decided.”