A new community learning hub has opened at Bromley Pensnett Primary School in Dudley following a £20,000 competition by contractor Novus. School Refurbishments Work Works at the school include a full refurbishment of the previously derelict building that saw our team of 10 install a new roof, repair and redecorate the interior and exterior, fit new steps, replace doors and flooring, and install a new kitchen. We have completed the hub in just two weeks as part of a competition by Novus to support worthwhile projects in the communities we operate in, as voted for by people in the area. We refurbished the school in Pensnett’s community learning centre, which has been closed for the past five years after falling into a state of disrepair. Learning Hub Services The new Novus Learning Hub offers a space where parents and carers can visit for support and advice. The building now provides the facilities for parents to complete health checks and weigh-in sessions and attend breast feeding clinics. It was chosen as part of the Novus’ ‘Big Five’ initiative to mark our fifth birthday, with £20,000 being spent on five individual local community projects across the UK. The project was also made possible by donations from Novus’ supply chain from Crown Paints, Eurocell, Howdens Joinery and Acorn Spencer. Head Teacher Feedback Helen Tomlinson, headteacher at Bromley Pensnett Primary School, said: “The new Novus Learning Hub provides a centre for our community that it was once lacking. We’re grateful to Novus for taking the building out of its derelict state and refurbishing it to the highest standards. “Everyone at the school is really happy with the finished project and we’re looking forward to seeing the ongoing benefits it will bring to the community.” Site Supervisor Feedback Dani Roberts-Wright, site supervisor at Novus, said: “Delivering the new Novus Learning Hub at Bromley Pensnett school was an honour to work on and we’re all really pleased with the final results. “As part of our commitment to the communities we operate in we’ve been working hard to deliver projects that local people could be proud of and use for years to come. This new community centre achieves that.” Bromley Pensnett Primary School Bromley Pensnett Primary School caters for 320 children aged between three and 11 years old in Pensnett and the surrounding areas. In 2015 it partnered with drb Ignite Multi Academy Trust to become a sponsored academy.

Contractor Novus has appointed John Palfreyman, a former IBM director, as a non-executive director. His appointment will see him support the Stoke-headquartered contractor’s board with strategic decision making and integrate information-led innovations into project delivery and business management. John Palfreyman’s Background Palfreyman, an independent cybersecurity and emerging technology consultant, has combined general management with emerging technology leadership roles over his 40-year career in IT. Neil Hand, chief executive of Novus, said: “John brings a wealth of experience to Novus. At IBM he led the strategic direction of some of its key emerging technology businesses globally and the board is looking forward to gaining this different perspective. “Every industry, not least construction, is witnessing massive change because of technological innovation. While the sector may have lagged behind others in this respect in previous years, we’re now seeing an explosion in the use of data and insight in the delivery of construction projects. His experience working for one of the world’s largest data and technology firms will undoubtedly prove invaluable over the coming years.” John Palfreyman’s View on Novus John added: “Novus has a history of innovation which has seen it embrace change and adapt to meet new challenges. It’s an exciting time to join the business as it looks to improve efficiencies through digitization and leverage information for strategic advantage.”

We have been appointed to deliver a refurbishment programme to the Pendle and Grizedale accommodation blocks at Lancaster University’s Bailrigg campus totalling £1.5 million. The project will see Novus refurbish the common areas including new flooring, handrails, suspended ceilings, communal entrance doors, door systems, installation of new power sources and data provision throughout the halls. Works will run over the summer and be completed before students arrive in September. Lancaster University Lancaster University is a top 10 university as ranked by the Complete University Guide. The project is designed to help the accommodation maintain its award-winning status having won the Best University Halls in the National Student Housing Awards 2017 for the seventh year running. Novus University Projects Liam Cox, contracts manager at Novus, said: “This new contract follows our work on a series of projects with Lancaster University over the past 10 years. “Students are universities’ lifeblood and many institutions are making investments in their accommodation and facilities to help them attract greater numbers from around the world. We’ve been appointed to over £12 million worth of projects in the sector in the past 12 months, as a result.” Lancaster University Feedback Helen Wood, senior project manager, facilities division at Lancaster University, said: “Ensuring our campus provides our students with a great experience throughout their university life is key. We’re looking forward to seeing the finished facilities come together ahead of our 2018 students joining after summer.”

The winner of our second Big 5 project in the South East was the Bereavement Suite at Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton. Previously mothers and fathers of still-born babies or babies who die shortly after birth had been sharing the same area. The new suite gives parents who lose a child during pregnancy or delivery the space, time and facilities they need during the grieving process. Maternity Ward Refurbishment The team transformed a separate area of the maternity ward into a delivery area and bereavement suite over a 10-day period. This new facility contains a studio flat alongside the delivery room with a cold cot, which will mean the family will get more time with their babies to create memories and a private place for them to grieve. The project started on the 11th June in a restricted environment on the 13th floor of the live ward. It consisted of stripping out three existing rooms including electrics, plumbing and flooring, reconfiguring them along, building new walls, installing a kitchenette and preparation room, a full redecoration and new flooring, and installing the furniture donated by Oscar’s Wish. Abigail’s Footsteps The work was carried out as part of our Big Five campaign to support worthwhile projects in communities up and down the country to celebrate our fifth birthday, where we are offering the opportunity to win £20,000 refurbishments. Abigail’s Footsteps won the South East competition. Without the support of our supply chain and the enthusiasm of our own workforce the project could never have been completed within the time scales. Ray Fielder, operations manager at Novus, said: “We received a lot of worthy nominations as part of the judging process, but Abigail’s Footsteps’ project to deliver the bereavement suite at the Royal Sussex County Hospital stood out from the beginning. “Everyone involved in the selection was moved by the cause and the work the charity does. We’re really proud to see the final result and that our work will leave a lasting legacy in the community.” Hayley Stevenson, Labour Ward and Pregnancy Loss Lead, said: “For recently bereaved parents, the labour ward can be a very hard place to stay, surrounded as they are by the activities and sounds of deliveries and newborn babies. “It is difficult to fully express what a difference this bereavement suite will make to them. “It will give bereaved parents time away from the main ward to form bonds with the child they have lost and create memories of them, memories that are so important in the grieving process. “There is no timescale for the parents who need this suite.” Abigail’s Footsteps was founded in 2010 to improve bereavement training for healthcare professionals, provide vital amenities and to allow parents to grieve in their own space away from maternity wards. The Oscar’s Wish Foundation was founded in 2015 to provide support for parents, families and siblings who experience the loss of their baby. It is raising funds to furnish the suite and is advising on how the facility is set up.  

Thistley Hough Academy and Stoke-headquartered Novus Property Solutions have won the national Education Partnership accolade at the Business in the Community Responsible Business Awards 2018. The organisations were recognised in the Small Business category for their five-year strategic partnership to enhance employability in the region. The work is part of Novus’ Business Class initiative, which sees the firm partner with local schools across the country to give pupils skills to help make them ready for the working world. The award was presented to Novus and Thistley Hough Academy at a ceremony, organised by The Prince’s Responsible Business Network, on Wednesday, 3rd July at the Royal Albert Hall, London.  Winners of the other categories on the evening included Barclays, engineer Arup, Aviva and Nestle. Business in the Community – The Prince’s Responsible Business Network - is a business-led membership organisation made up of progressive businesses of all sizes that seeks to encourage social, environmental and economic sustainability. Its annual Responsible Business awards programme celebrates the best work done by organisations in supporting social value in their communities. Kevin Rhone, head of social value and customer service at Novus, said: “Our Business Class initiative is one of many ways we’re reinvesting in the communities where we work. Across the country, we have a range of CSR projects and initiatives that are having a demonstrable impact on peoples’ lives. “Construction is witnessing a huge skills shortage. And that’s not just in terms of trades, we need people will excellent soft skills too and this is something we’ve always been keen to support. Winning the Business in the Community accolade is a fantastic result given its national prestige.” Thistley Hough Academy Principal Holly Hartley says: “Our school had faced a number of challenges and so, when approached by Novus I was very keen to be involved in the scheme. From the outset our partnership with Novus has had a significant and tangible impact on life at the Academy and is founded on trust and integrity and so it has been easy to engage, despite our significant operational differences. She continues: “Novus is now a daily part of life for us providing both our staff and students with inspiring opportunities – from mentoring pupils, to offering support in high-level Public Finance Initiative meetings, to the development of a new school allotment, or by working with students on employability-based skill sessions.”   Across the duration of the initiative, thanks to the support of Novus, the Academy has been graded some ‘Outstanding’ features by Ofsted. Similarly, the partnership has resulted in direct commercial benefits for Novus including new relationships across the local education sector, helping it to win more than £5 million worth of construction work.   For more information about Thistley Hough Academy visit thistleyhoughacademy.org.uk or call 01782 883500 and for more information about the Business in the Community Awards log on to awards.bitc.org.uk.  

For our first Big 5 project, we brought a derelict house back into use for a vulnerable person. We asked people to nominate a community building in desperate need of repair for a £20,000 building refurbishment which we would deliver in our 5th year of trading as Novus. Latch Charity Selection We selected Leeds as our first location and Leeds Action to Create Homes (LATCH) was the winner of our competition. Latch provides supported housing for homeless and vulnerable people. Building Refurbishment Work The house needed a serious amount of work as it was in a poor state. The kitchen, bathroom and heating system were replaced as everything was broken. We fitted various new joinery items and floor covering before redecorating the property throughout. The building refurbishment would have taken Latch a few months, but we were able to transform the property in two weeks for the tenant to start a fresh. The external of the property was painted, and our team and LATCH Volunteers carried out a joint project in the landscaping works for the new tenants to be able to enjoy the garden of their new home. We completed the building refurbishment of the two-bedroom house with new furniture. Tenant’s Feedback The tenant of the property said “It’s lovely, very warm. It’s a really nice house. It’s the best one bed house I’ve ever seen. It feels like there’s something off my shoulders, I don’t have to worry anymore.” Operations Manager’s Feedback Mark Rapley, Operations Manager for Novus who managed the project said ‘it’s amazing to see the impact Novus have had on someone’s life. It was a challenge to turn the major building refurbishment of the property around in 2 weeks, however it was truly worth the end result of being about to house vulnerable person and her son’.  Customer’s Feedback “Since moving into their lovely new home, the residents have been enjoying a much better quality of life.” Manjeet Gahir, Property Services Manager, LATCH Find Out More Find out more about our Big 5 campaign, or view more about the other projects here.