Novus Blog

As a business, we know that Covid-19 has had an 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 where the Build Back Better Challenge comes in…

Build Back Better Challenge

Our Novus colleague panel will decide which nomination they feel Novus can have the most impact on.

How do I get Involved in the Build Back Better Challenge?

Anyone can nominate a good cause, we want our employees, supply chain, customers and wider community to get involved.

You can nominate a good cause by visiting the Build Back Better page on this website or by emailing your nomination to buildbackbetter@novussolutions.co.uk.

Great Causes We Have Supported

Looking for some inspiration? Here are just some of the good causes we have supported previously:

Supporting Environmental Projects Novus have supported a wide range of environmental improvement projects ranging from community clean up events, to improving communal garden areas, to creating wild life meadows.

One example was when Novus supported The Derbyshire Eco Centre, which provides skills-based activities that are focused around the environment for a range of vulnerable groups.

These range from disabled young people to long term unemployed individuals.

Novus volunteers, and a donation of materials helped improve their facilities by creating raised planters, building new seating areas, and constructing a storage area for all the garden tools.

Supporting Community Projects Novus have improved community facilities across the country, ranging from full Community Centre refurbishments, to installing a new kitchen, to a handy man carrying out general repairs.

The Riverside Youth Centre in Livingston received a full refurbishment by Novus Volunteers, the materials required were also donated.

Improvements included a new kitchen, new foyer, redecoration throughout and an IT suite created.

The young people who use the Centre were involved in deciding what areas needed improving, and as a result the Youth Centre have improved facilities for the whole of the community.

Supporting Skills Development Novus as a business offer skills development opportunities in a range of ways. From supporting career events, delivering career talks, to hosting DIY Skills workshops.

The Macari Homeless Centre provides support and safe, secure shelter for homeless people in need across Stoke on Trent.

Novus volunteers held a skills workshop at the Centre teaching the residents painting skills and also providing employment advice.

Donations and sponsorship At Novus we believe we can have a greater impact when we involve our skilled employees and utilise our supply chain partners, however there are occasions when support by making a donation or providing sponsorship is required.

Novus Devon office Donated £2500 to the Guinness Partnership Food Bank initiative to help set up Food Pantries in Sheltered Housing Schemes across the Region.

Supporting Vulnerable People

Our employees nominate vulnerable individuals who they would like to volunteer their time to support.

These acts of kindness can range from helping an elderly person with their garden that has become overgrown, or helping a vulnerable family redecorate their new home or improve access for a disabled person.

The Novus team in Southampton while improving Housing on a road heard of a very sad situation with a family.

The team wanted to support in anyway they could, and offered to volunteer and donate materials to redecorate the home even though they were not part of the planned works.

Your Nomination Can Make a Big Difference

Some of the projects we have supported that have had the greatest impact would not have come fruition without the nomination first being put forward to us.

One example of this is the Royal Sussex Hospital in Brighton.

The Midwives on the Ward wanted to convert a disused room near their Ward into a Bereavement Suite. Novus took on the challenge and with the support of our supply chain partners delivered on this wish.

These are just some of the examples of support that Novus have and can provide through this Build Back Better Challenge.

Be sure to nominate your worthy cause each month via the Build Back Better web page or by emailing buildbackbetter@novussolutions.co.uk

Coffee4Craig Wins the First Challenge

Our first winner of the Build Back Better Challenge was Coffee4Craig – the amazing Manchester based community project that assists the local homeless community. Read more about the charity and how Novus will be supporting them in our news story.

Moor Trees Win the Second Challenge

Our second winner of the Build Back Better Challenge was Moor Trees – a environmental charity based in South Brent that aims to maintain and restore natural forests in the UK. Read more about the charity and how Novus will be supporting them in our news story.

Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons Trust Win the third Challenge

Our third winner of the Build Back Better Challenge was Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons Trust –  A Greater London charity offering a range of services to support members of the LGBT+ community and their families. Read more about the charity and how Novus have helped them in our news story.

Edinburgh Tool Library Win the forth Challenge

Our forth winner of the Build Back Better Challenge was Edinburgh Tool Library – The Edinburgh Tool Library operates in the same way as a normal library but distributes tools rather than books. It allows the public to borrow a variety of tools including drills and sanders, as well as hosting a range of classes and workshops where members of the community can learn and take part in non-tool related sessions including for mental health. Read more about the charity and how Novus have helped them in our news story.