A team of volunteers who help run a community cafe providing a base for vital services for the local community have been given a big pat on the back thanks to generous workers at a Birmingham company.

New Heights, in Kingstanding, is a community organisation born out of Christ the King Church congregation. In 2006 it took over a derelict shop at Warren Farm Road and created the New Heights Community Cafe which is run by around 25 volunteers providing food, drink and internet access.

Local people are also able to use services such as jobs and training opportunities, debt counselling and benefits advice, and advisors providing vital support and guidance. New Heights was nominated for a donation from Pertemps People Development Group’s (PPDG) Give As You Earn scheme. The £150 donation was made possible by the hundreds of PPDG employees who contribute to one of the country’s most successful Give As You Earn schemes. Each month, more than 60 per cent of employees donate a sum from their salary to benefit a wide range of good causes.

The donation partly paid for an away-day treat for the team of volunteers.

New Heights community development co-ordinator Doreen Mooney said: “We’ve got a wonderful group of volunteers, who are all from Kingstanding, and they have worked hard to provide a vital service for the local community.

“Thanks to the donation from Pertemps People Development Group, we were able to take the cafe volunteers on an away day. We started with a meeting at the Father Hudson’s Society in Coleshill and they took part in team activities. We then went to Star City where we watched a film at the cinema, followed by a meal at a restaurant. It was great to treat them for the hard work they have done in the last 18 months.”