DIY SOS: Treetops Hospice

A VRV unit for a children’s counselling centre, as part of BBC Children in Need’s Big Build

When the DIY SOS team approached Daikin to discuss a project for Treetops Hospice, we knew it was something we wanted to be involved in. The DIY SOS team were working on a special collaboration build in aid of BBC Children in Need in Risley, Derbyshire. The amazing project involved building a purpose-built facility to deliver support and counselling for children and young people who have experienced traumatic bereavement.

A VRV unit for a children’s counselling centre, as part of BBC Children in Need’s Big Build

Treetops is an adult hospice in Derbyshire for people with life-limiting illnesses, those who’ve been bereaved, and their families. They also provide support and counselling services to children and young people facing traumatic bereavement who are going through an unimaginably tough time.

DIY SOS was looking for a donation of a heating and cooling solution for the building to ensure the comfort and well-being of the users of the counselling centre. Daikin UK’s James Oates, was initially approached by the team to help them out.

“When I was asked if Daikin would supply a VRV to the project, I instinctively knew that this was something that we should support. Everyone I spoke to at Daikin agreed, and I’m so proud that we are playing our part in helping children come to terms with the loss of a parent.”

Local company, The Mansfield Cooling Company, stepped forward to donate their time, skills and resources to install the Daikin VRV system. “When we were presented with this opportunity, there was no hesitation from any of the team. It was a unanimous and resounding YES!” says Mark Leivers, Director. “We felt that we had something to offer and were in a great position to be able to play our part. You’d be hard-pushed to watch an episode of DIY SOS and not be moved by the help they provide to people, families and projects who really, really need it.”

"The thing that makes our builds work time after time, is the generosity of the tradespeople and companies that donate their time and resources to get us over the line. We literally couldn’t do it without them volunteering their time."

- Nick Knowles, DIY SOS presenter

The installation involved a Daikin VRV IV+ system for the new counselling centre, offering customised comfort, intelligent control and increased energy efficiency.

By delivering simultaneous cooling and heating, the system guarantees a comfortable climate for the visitors of the centre. And the ability to control each conditioned zone individually keeps the system running costs to an absolute minimum; an essential factor for the charity.

The purpose-built children’s counselling and therapy centre includes three counselling rooms, a main multi-purpose space, a complementary therapy room, and a quiet space for counsellors to have more sensitive conversations with families. Two wall-mounted units were installed in the main multi-purpose space, and one in each of the other rooms, ensuring efficient air and temperature distribution throughout the rooms. The whisper-quiet operation was a key consideration here, with top priority given to creating a quiet, calm and comfortable space.

As Daikin’s VRV system has been specifically designed for simple installation, thanks to the skills of The Mansfield Cooling Company, the complete install was completed in a few long days.