Roll-up, Roll-up: Rolls-Royce staff pick up their paintbrushes to support SSAFA

30 October 2026

Team members from the Rolls-Royce Derby plant picked up their paintbrushes and pledged one of their annual charity days to support one of SSAFA’s specialist services - Norton House.

The team of nine volunteers invested a combined total of over 60 hours rejuvenating the walls of the seven bedrooms and the second-floor shared space of the Norton House building. Volunteers worked collaboratively and at pace to ensure the accommodation was updated quickly and with care.

Located in Stanford-on-Soar, SSAFA Norton House provides a free-to-use home away from home for both in and out-patients who are receiving treatment at the nearby Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC).

Having opened in 2019, the facility also opens its doors to friends and families of the veteran or serving patients who are receiving treatment at the DRMC, allowing them to visit their loved ones in a warm, comforting home environment whilst removing the burden of accommodation costs.

Cheril Bascombe, Housing Manager at SSAFA Norton House, said: “We had a fantastic day with the team from Rolls-Royce and are extremely grateful to them for dedicating their time to come and support us. Providing a home away from home for our guests is incredibly important, so having a fresh, bright environment for them to relax and feel at ease in means a lot to us - and to them.

“The team were in fantastic spirits all day – laughing and joking as they went from room to room. They were so committed, going above and beyond to ensure all the rooms were finished. We can’t thank them enough for the help they’ve given us.”

The team chose to support Norton House following a recommendation from a colleague’s wife who had been aware of previous volunteering days through the DMRC which had supported the homestay.

Cheril continued: “For some of the volunteers this charitable day was their first experience of SSAFA and the support we can offer veterans, serving personnel and their families, so it’s also given us an opportunity to raise awareness of our work with a new group of supporters, too.”