For years, service users like Scott Harwood, have struggled to open the back entrance doors to the organisation’s Peter Street offices.

But next month the premises will undergo long-awaited renovations, which will include the installation of automatic sliding doors purchased with a $3000 donation made by the Heinz Help @ Hand committee.

The doors will enable clients to access the building freely, without having to wait for assistance or struggling to do it themselves, according to TLC senior project officer Emma Daley.

“Currently when the service users get to the door they find it quite difficult to reach the handle, and some can’t even reach at all,” she said.

“This (the sliding doors) will mean they don’t have to wait any more.”

Over the past few years TLC has grown rapidly to include a number of new disability services which have increased the number of service users.

With more people using the service than ever before, better access and facilities will finally be achieved when a $250,000 renovation of the organisation’s Peter Street premises gets under way next week.

Heinz Help @ Hand committee president David Pike said staff were proud to provide the funds to TLC, saying the committee realised there was a strong need to have electronic doors installed.

“We asked for a wish list and we heard there was a need for the door, so we wanted to support getting it,” he said.

“It’s great for our committee because we get to see the tangible things (our fund-raising is used for).”

Heinz site manager Phil McVeigh said all Heinz staff regularly fund-raise for numerous community organisations with every dollar raised matched by Heinz.