Work has begun today to install new skylights, windows and French windows at a welcome centre that hosts activities for vulnerable people.

The Plaistow Welcome Centre in Barking Road was awarded a grant of £23,000 from The Veolia Environmental Trust to carry out work deisgned to make it a drier and more welcoming building. The centre is located at the back of the Memorial Community Church.

Events and activities at the centre include a weekly breakfast for homeless people, weekly activity sessions for older people including computer classes, painting and gardening, support for vulnerable families, a friendship group, a Saturday school and parenting classes.

Tenants include a church group that runs advice and support programmes and two arts groups. The hall is also used for events such as concerts and meetings.

Phillipa King, the church’s development manager, said, “The new skylights and French doors will make the Welcome Centre a drier, more secure and welcoming place for a wide range of activities. We anticipate these improvements will encourage greater use of the building, further developing our role as a focus for the community of Plaistow.”

The work, which began today, is the next phase of an ongoing programme to modify and improve the centre so people can use it all year round. In 2012 the toilets were renovated and a ramp and accessible doorways were added to the back of the building.