01782 237249 info@novussolutions.co.uk Tackling Poverty - Good News Stories Novus launch Build Back Better initiative to make a difference As a business, we have set a vision to be a force for good. We know that Covid-19 has had a huge impact on our society and as a responsible business, we are committed to playing our part in supporting the communities who need the most help. This is why we are supporting a national Build Back better movement. This blog will highlight the how we are playing our part as a business to reduce poverty and support the individuals who need it most. An ‘Eggs’ellent Effort by the Novus Easter Bunnies Easter is a time of year that can be even more challenging for people and families struggling to afford food, which is why our employees (or Novus Easter Bunnies) across the country wanted to play their part in donating Easter Eggs to local Food Banks. Poverty in the UK According to the Social Metrics Commission report, 14.3 million people are in poverty in the UK, of which 8.3 million are working-age adults, 4.6 million are children, and 1.3 million are of pension age. It is clear that from these figures, many people struggle to afford food and it’s estimated that over 500,000 people in the UK are now reliant on food parcels, with 2 million people in the UK deemed to be “undernourished”. How Novus Have Been Helping this Easter Click here to view just some of the highlights of how Novus teams throughout the UK helped to support our Food Bank (Easter) Appeal: https: Novus Easter Egg Appeal Blog Novus improve Sea Cadets Building in the North East In partnership with client Karbon Homes Novus Volunteers repainted the external Sea Cadets Building in Hebburn in the North East. The Centre is used for the local community providing young people with life skills to achieve their full potential! Novus redecorate Community Room In partnership with Great Places Novus refurbished the Park Lodge Community Room for the benefit of the customers, and the Community Groups that use the facilities. Improving community facilities can act as a driver for positive change, creating a self-help and problem-solving culture, and helping individuals move out of poverty. Novus launch Volunteer Hero initiative As part of the Build Back Better campaign, Novus are launching their “Volunteer Hero” Initiative, which will see all Novus employees actively encouraged to undertake volunteer work in their local communities during ordinary work hours. Novus in Merseyside hold Skills Workshop at Homeless Hostel Novus are working in Birkenhead in Merseyside refurbishing a derelict building into offices and temporary accommodation for a client who provide accommodation for people who are at risk of, about to become, or are homeless. The Novus team have held a series of Skills Workshops to provide the residents with Painting and Decorating skills, and give them an insight into a career in Construction. Novus help turn Void Property into a Community Food Pantry Working alongside Podsmead Big Local, Novus assisted in the refurbishment of and redecoration of a disused ground floor space at Halford house In Gloucester. Our contract with GCH involved carrying out fire remedial works to Gloucester City Homes properties around the local estate, however Halford house is not part of those plans. Novus were pleased to offer our support to the Poet’s Pantry project by assisting in the refurbishment and redecoration of the space, in addition to donating a new worktop. The Pantry now provides healthy and accessible food source, prevent waste, and encouraging a green approach to residents and food providers. Novus support Bristol Homeless Project Novus in Bristol donated £120 of food vouchers to the ‘Help Bristol Homeless Project’. This project provides support and accommodation for homeless individuals. The accommodation has been constructed out of shipping containers as an affordable way to provide a roof over peoples’ heads. Pomona Place Drinks Donation As part of the planned maintenance contract with Home Group, Novus Stoke have recently completed the installation of new kitchens at Pomona Place, Pomona House, Hereford. We asked the scheme manager at Pomona House if there was anything residents would appreciate us doing at this scheme, and the main suggestions were to donate hot drinks supplies, as the consumption is very high at the property and residents are often asking staff for more supplies. Pomona House homes single homeless people with support needs, that have a local connection to Herefordshire. Being able to have a steady supply of hot drinks seems like a small thing, but we have been assured that the residents are very appreciative of the donation and that it is a helpful resource to get through the day whilst building on the support they need. The donation was kindly gifted by Mains Services who we have been working with on this scheme. Build Back Better: The Novus Food Bank Appeal As a business, Novus have set a clear vision to be a force for good. We know that Covid-19 has had a huge impact on our society and therefore, as a responsible business, we are committed to playing our part in supporting the communities who need the most help. Novus Food Bank Appeal In 2020, 32% of Novus colleagues voted that Novus should be supporting local food banks. Therefore across December and January, we held the Novus Food Bank Appeal as part of our wider Build Back Better Campaign. Click the link to view some of the highlights of how Novus teams throughout the UK helped to support our Food Bank Appeal: Novus Food Bank Appeal Blog Novus in Southampton go the extra mile improving a communal garden While refurbishing a group of void properties, in addition to this the Novus team in Southampton volunteered their time to improve the communal garden with new plants and flowers. Novus transform the outside space of a community Library In partnership with Adactas Housing in Manchester, Novus Painted. The outside of local community library. The library is used as a day centre for pre-school children and is also the local library which also offers digital learning to the local community. Novus deliver our first Build Back Better Challenge making a difference to a Homeless Charity Novus Launched our Build Back Better Challenge in Q1 with the chance for a charitable cause across the UK to win £5000 worth of support from Novus. The Homeless Project in Manchester won this support as voted by our employees with their facilities being refurbished to improve the experience of their guests. Longden House Donation As part of the planned maintenance contract with Home Group, Novus Stoke have recently completed the installation of new kitchens at Longden House, Manchester. We asked the staff at Longden House if there was anything we could donate, that they might think would be of benefit to the residents at this scheme and quite simply, the response was to have a kettle and hot drinks supplies donated to the communal kitchen area. The residents at the scheme use the communal area to interact with each other and any visitors they have, such as support workers. Being able to have a kettle and supplies in the communal area means they don’t have to walk up to their rooms in order to make drinks only to have to bring them back down to where they are trying to socialize. The donation was kindly gifted by Mains Services who we have been working with on this scheme. Novus in Stoke supporting their local Food Bank The Novus Food Bank Campaign inspired the Stoke Office Team to put together a food bank donation worth £200 in total. The donations were made up of items from the Food Bank website wish list. The, the Novus Stoke team wanted to do their part to help feed members of the local community who are struggling at this time of year. The food donation was delivered to Blurton Methodist Church where it would be then distributed to those in need around the city. Novus Liverpool Team donate laptop to support vulnerable pupils during lockdown Supporting client Procure Plus Novus donated £250 to fund I.T equipment for vulnerable pupils learning from home at North Liverpool Academy. The Novus Wrexham team transform communal garden area Raised flower beds at a Wrexham County Borough Council sheltered housing scheme that Novus are providing roof improvement works on had become extremely overgrown. Novus volunteers offered to remove the weeds, tidy the beds and plant some seasonal bedding plants, and with the support of our supply chain partner, Kato group, the warden and a resident of Plas Y Delph the area has been transformed. Everyone was very happy with how the beds have turned out and are pleased to be able to see some colour back by the entrance of their home. Novus in Manchester support the Wood Street Mission Novus Property Solutions work in partnership with the University of Manchester and Central Manchester University Hospital across the City Centre and located in this area of works is a charity called Wood Street Mission whose aim is to alleviate the effects of poverty on children and families in Manchester and Salford who the Novus team have been supporting. Throughout the year Novus employees and our supply chain have been supporting the Books Forever Appeal, with donations which are distributed through their Family Basics programme, book clubs and book roadshows to help children and families in poverty. To date Novus have donated over 200 books. The photo highlights Novus supporting the Smart Start Appeal which ensures that children are equipped with the essentials they need for the school year. To support Novus donated £200 worth of school stationary such as pencil cases, pens and folders, everything a child would need for the first day back at school. Paul Worrall, Site Manager at Novus commented; “Over 3000 children were supported last year from The Wood Street Missions support, and the team at Novus are proud to play our part as we believe no child should be disadvantaged.” Novus in Wrexham create a Wild Flower Meadow At the Novus team in Wrexham are working on several contracts for Wrexham County Borough Council. On the Civils contract we had to locate a large compound to store the heavy plant and materials for the works which was temporary located on some green space. Once the compound was relocated the Novus Team wanted to not only make good again, but improve the area even more for the local community. Having consulted with the local community, local Councillor and the Council, it was decided that planting a wildflower meadow in the area would not only make the area look more pleasant, it would improve the area for wildlife and be a part of the Councils “Green infrastructure project” initiative. Novus partnered with the North Wales Wildlife Trust who came along to advise us of how best to prepare and plant the area and then carry out the works, Mother nature has done the rest. If you would like to nominate any good causes for Novus to support, please e-mail buildbackbetter@novussolutions.co.uk We are leading specialists in planned and reactive property maintenance, building refurbishment, compliance and construction services. 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