Proud to support the BCA Awards and the people making a difference in our communities

At Novus Property Solutions, we understand the important role that people play in creating strong, connected communities, whether that is through the work they do, the opportunities they create for others or the time they give to causes that matter to them. It is this commitment to supporting people and communities that makes our relationship with the British Citizen Award (BCA) so important to us.

Now in its 11th year, the BCA, also known as The People’s Honours, recognises individuals from across the UK who have made an outstanding contribution to their communities, celebrating the people who give their time and skills to helping others, often without seeking recognition for themselves.

For us, supporting the BCA is an opportunity to shine a light on those individuals and the difference they are making, while reflecting on the values that we share as an organisation.

Recognising the people behind positive change

 The latest BCA medal presentation, held at the Palace of Westminster in July, provided a powerful reminder of the many different ways people can contribute to their communities.

Among this year’s recipients was Clare Dingwall, who has spent more than 15 years supporting injured military personnel through Polo for Heroes, an organisation she co-founded in 2009. Through fundraising events and initiatives, Clare has helped raise more than £167,000 for military charities, supporting rehabilitation programmes, mental health initiatives and opportunities for injured service personnel to reconnect with others and rebuild their confidence.

We also had the privilege of recognising Holly Baird, whose work with The Daniel Baird Foundation has turned an unimaginable personal tragedy into a campaign that could help save lives. Following the death of her brother Daniel in 2017, Holly and her family began raising awareness of Bleed Control Kits and campaigning for greater access to them in public places, helping communities to be better prepared to respond to catastrophic bleeding before professional medical help arrives.

Elsewhere, Mandy Parnell has spent more than three decades creating a welcoming and inclusive space for people with social anxieties, additional needs, disabilities and other vulnerabilities, while Paul Turton has used his passion for music to bring people together through the Helstonbury Music Festival, raising funds over many years to support individuals, families and community groups facing difficult circumstances.

Although their stories are very different, each recipient has recognised a need within their community and found a way to respond, demonstrating how much can be achieved when people use their own experiences, skills and passions to support those around them.

That is something we value at Novus, because we know that meaningful community impact is not always about the scale of an organisation or the size of an initiative. Often, it is about understanding what people need and finding practical ways to create opportunities, provide support or make a difference to someone’s everyday life.

Supporting communities through our own work

 Our commitment to communities is reflected in the way we approach our work at Novus, where we look beyond the immediate outcomes of the projects we deliver to consider how we can create lasting social value for the people and places around us.

Through our social value commitments, we support local employment and skills development, helping to create opportunities for people to develop their careers while contributing to the communities in which we operate. Our apprenticeship programmes are an important part of this, providing people with the opportunity to develop practical skills, gain valuable experience and build a career within the industry.

We believe that creating these opportunities is an important part of building stronger communities, particularly when people are given the support and encouragement they need to develop their confidence, skills and future prospects.

This is one of the reasons the BCA feels so closely aligned with our own approach. The awards recognise people who are helping others to participate, develop and feel supported within their communities, whether that is through volunteering, education, employment, fundraising, sport or simply creating a place where people feel they belong.

Proud to support The People’s Honours

 Having the opportunity to support the BCA and celebrate this year’s recipients has given us another chance to see the impact that individuals can have when they are prepared to dedicate their time and energy to helping others.

We were particularly proud to have our Executive Director, Steve Gayter, present medals to recipients at the July ceremony, where we heard first-hand about the experiences that had inspired their work and the difference they have gone on to make.

At Novus, we are proud to play our own part in supporting communities through the work we deliver, the people we employ and develop, and the social value we create, and we are equally proud to support an initiative that gives recognition to others who are making such a meaningful contribution across the UK.