Build Back Better - Being a Force for Good
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.
Do you know of a good cause, community project, or charity that would benefit from our support? Nominate them by using the form on this page.
Build Back Better
Reducing Poverty
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We will continually identify activities and opportunities where Novus can help reduce the impact of poverty within our local communities.
Whether this be through charity fundraising, donating to food banks, or providing support for the homeless, Novus are committed to helping people Build Back Better after the devastation caused by Covid-19. We are always keen to hear your ideas on how Novus can help in your community, so if you have any ideas or suggestions you would like to put forward, please email Build Back Better. |
Good Health & Wellbeing
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We know that our colleagues and customers are the heartbeat of our business.
Therefore, we are committed to looking after their wellbeing throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, ensuring that each and every person remains mentally and physically healthy. Introducing Mental Health First Aiders is just one of the areas Novus are supporting all colleagues throughout 2021 and beyond. We will be continually developing and introducing initiatives around wellbeing on an ongoing basis and highlighting these via our website and social media channels. We are always keen to hear ideas, so if you have any ideas or suggestions you would like to put forward, please email Build Back Better. |
Environmental Action
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Through the Covid pandemic we have dramatically reduced our carbon footprint through working smarter and more efficiently.
Now, we are keen to continue this progress by working with local communities on positive environmental initiatives and towards ambitious sustainability targets for our own business.
If you have any ideas or suggestions for Environmental initiatives that Novus could be a part of in your community, please do email Build Back Better and we will be in touch. |
Refurbishing the Poet's Pantry Food Bank
Working alongside Podsmead Big Local, Novus helped refurbish of and redecorate a disused ground floor void space at Halford house in Gloucester.
Local research suggested that the community also had little access to fresh fruit, vegetables, and a balanced diet. Therefore it was decided that opening the Poet’s Pantry would help to meet some of these raised and encourage healthy lifestyles.
Novus were pleased to offer their support to the Poet’s Pantry project by assisting in the refurbishment and redecoration of the void space where the pantry is now located.
Nominate a Good Cause - The #BuildBackBetter Challenge
Throughout 2021, we’ll be undertaking Build Back Better community projects that embody one our 3 key focus areas: Poverty, Wellbeing, and Environment.
Every quarter, we’ll be supporting a deserving initiative as nominated by you – following a similar format to our Big 5 Campaign.
We’ll be looking for the good causes where we can have the most impact. Anyone can submit an entry!
Nominations for the 3rd Build Back Challenge are now open!
Do you have a project in mind? Is there a local initiative that would benefit from our support?
Send your nomination using the form >>
Moor Trees Win the Second Build Back Better Challenge!
The Novus judging panel have decided that Moor Trees – a Devon-based charity dedicated to recreating native woodland across Dartmoor and Devon – are the winners of the second Build Back Better Challenge.
Moor Trees grow trees from locally collected seeds in their own nurseries, nurture through their local volunteers, and then use them to recreate woodland that has become an increasingly rare sight in the countryside.
Read More
Novus Completes Its First Build Back Better Challenge Refurbishments
Delivering on our Build Back Better promise, we are delighted to have completed the refurbishment of Manchester-based homeless charity Coffee4Craig’s welfare centre – creating a new Wellbeing Zone.
Read more about the winning nomination and how we’ll be supporting them by visiting our news section.
You can nominate a worthy cause for our Build Back Better challenge by emailing your entry to buildbackbetter@novussolutions.co.uk or by using the nomination form below.
Read More
Skills Workshops for the Homeless
Novus and Forum Housing have been running skills workshops to help boost the employability prospects of the local homeless community.
Whilst carrying out refurbishments to a derelict building for Forum Housing, the Novus team have been offering a series of Skills based Workshops and Work Placements to vulnerable residents in partnership with the Forum Housing Engagement Team.
We hope that these workshops will enable these residents to improve their confidence, skills-set, and employability prospects on their journey to rebuild their lives.
Volunteer Hero Initiative
As part of our Build Back Better campaign, we recently launched the “Volunteer Hero” Initiative, which will see all Novus employees encouraged to volunteer for local community causes during ordinary work hours.
To launch the new Volunteer Hero campaign, 16 volunteers Novus in Stoke participated in a community clean up in the Scotia Valley area in Stoke-on-Trent.
Suggest a project that our Volunteer Heroes can help with by emailing buildbackbetter@novussolutions.co.uk.
Read about our Volunteer Hero Initiative
Build Back Better Update - June
- In partnership with Gloucester City Homes Novus refurbished a void property so it could be used by a Food Pantry Project.
- Novus are working in partnership with the University of Worcester, who held a 20 mile charity walk to raise money for ‘Cure Leukaemia’. Novus donated £100 helping raise over £2000.
- Novus are working in the partnership with North Wales Housing and have made a donation of £250 towards their chosen charity Mind to show our support.
- Lee Hub Library in Hampshire faced closer before it was set up as a charity by local residents. Novus are working in partnership with Gosport Borough Council across the area and were asked if we could repair and repaint the large wooden doors to the Library.
Mental Health First Aiders
A coffee and a chat or a simple “how are you?” could make all the difference to someone.
As part of our commitment to supporting the wellbeing of colleagues, Novus have installed Mental Health First Aiders in each area of the business.
Having a qualified Mental First Aider (or Aiders) in the workplace provides a point of contact for colleagues who are experiencing a mental health issue or emotional distress.
This interaction could range from having an initial conversation through to supporting the individual to get appropriate help in a crisis.
Our Mental Health First Aiders can spot the signs of mental ill health and are valuable in providing early support for someone who may be developing a mental health issue.
Meet Our Mental Health First Aiders
Having a Positive Effect on the Environment
Working towards a more sustainable future.
Over the last 12 months, we have made great strides towards becoming more sustainable and reducing our carbon footprint.
The Covid pandemic has resulted in more of our people working remotely and subsequently travelling less. Add to this the reduced amount of energy used to heat and light the offices and decreased waste, the business overall has lowered its carbon usage.
However, we recognise that this is not time to rest on our laurels. As part of the Build Back Better campaign, we’ll be super charging our commitments towards sustainability and positive environmental change with ambitious targets and green initiatives.
Look our for upcoming sustainability projects, campaigns, and initiatives on our social media pages throughout 2021.
Find out More
Latest News
Novus Celebrates Topping Out Milestone at Midland Heart Project
July marked a milestone moment for Novus, as its new build retirement living scheme for Midland Heart in Lichfield, Staffordshire, reached the topping out stage.
Novus appointed to £200 million social housing construction framework
Novus Property Solutions has been appointed to Efficiency North’s new EN:Procure New Build Housing framework for the north of England. The £200 million four-year framework will offer a leading-edge supply chain for social housing construction.
Novus secures £44 million maintenance contract with Home Group
Novus Property Solutions’ Scotland region has been awarded a significant maintenance contract with Home Group, valued at £44 million. As part of the contract, which is set to begin in July, Novus will carry out a range of planned and reactive maintenance works on approximately 4,000 properties.
Novus Awarded Significant Passive Fire Protection Contract
Novus has been awarded a significant passive fire protection contract with a major city council in central England, valued at approximately £2.5 million over a five-year period.
Business Transformation Leader Joins Novus as CEO
Novus is delighted to announce the appointment of Steve Davies as Chief Executive Officer. Steve is an accomplished leader with a proven track record of delivering excellent results within numerous markets.
Novus Celebrates its First Ever Covid Hero Awards
Like many companies, Novus was impacted by the covid-19 pandemic, but its ability to continue to operate relied on the diligence, grit, and positive attitudes of people at every level of the company. The Covid Hero Awards are a celebration of those colleagues who had stepped up and made a significant difference to Novus during this challenging time.
The Second Build Back Better Challenge Winner is….
The judging panel have made their decision and we are delighted to announce that our second Build Back Better Challenge winner is…
Novus Commits to the Armed Forces Covenant
In a demonstration of our assistance to the armed forces community in the UK, Novus has committed to the Armed Forces Covenant. The pledge serves as a public acknowledgement of support to our service men and women, and their families.
Offering Skills Workshops for the Homeless and Vulnerable
Working with Forum Housing, Novus offered a number of skills-based workshops for members of the homeless community, in an effort to help them rebuild their lives.
CITB Report: Construction Industry Needs an Extra 217,000 Workers
In its most recent report, the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has estimated that the industry will require an additional 217,000 workers if it is to meet future demand.
