REID'S Guest House received a much-needed fresh coat of paint at the weekend thanks to the helping hands of the community.
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Participants of United Way's Ballarat Advocacy Program helped paint some of the halls of the emergency accommodation centre in Lydiard Street North in an effort to create a brighter atmosphere for guests.
Under the management of UnitingCare Ballarat, Reid's Guest House is one of Ballarat's key budget accommodation centres for people in need.
Reid's Guest House manager Warwick Smith said the assistance from volunteers helped make a huge dent in the extensive painting job planned for the accommodation centre which is currently home to more than 50 people.
"We have a plan to paint all the halls eventually," he said.
"With dark ceilings and black walls it is horrible for residents, so we hope to make it brighter for them so that they can have some pride in their place.
"To have a better place that looks up-to-date they will have more respect for the building and themselves.
"The guys and girls who helped out on Sunday did a great job.
"Residents were so chatty and happy to see something getting done."
Mr Smith said because of the budget, it was been impossible to accommodate for any painting of Reid's Guest House until now.
"We're going to keep chipping away at it, but we're always looking for a helping hand."
A team from The Courier was part of the group of volunteers who got their hands dirty on Sunday to help give the halls a much-needed facelift.
The Courier's media sales consultant Fay Thistlewaite said she was happy to help out such an important part of the Ballarat community while impacting positively on so many lives.
"It was an interesting experience," she said.
"I never realised how unfortunate some people are in Ballarat through no fault of their own, but it was nice giving back to them indirectly."
With plenty of hallways still yet to be painted, Reid's Guest House is welcoming anyone who is able to volunteer some of their time or donate towards the cost of paint.