#BuildBackBetter
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 Bett
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 is 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 is 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. |
Build Back Better Challenge
In February 2021, we launched the Build Back Better Challenge, our new initiative which aims to support a good cause, community project or vulnerable person throughout the year.
This support could vary between:
- Volunteering our skills
- Material donation
- Financial donation
- A combination of them all!
Nominations will align with our focus areas of Reducing Poverty, Promoting Good Health & Wellbeing, and Improving the Environment.
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 form below or by emailing your nomination to buildbackbetter@novussolutions.co.uk.
Nominate a Good Cause - The #BuildBackBetter Challenge
Throughout 2023, we’ll be undertaking Build Back Better community projects that embody one of 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 5th 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 >>
Novus Picks up the Tools for Latest Charity Build Back Better Challenge Winner
We have completed work on our fourth Build Back Better Challenge Winner – Edinburgh Tool Library!
We have completed our work on the Edinburgh Tool Library – the fourth recipient of our Built Back Better initiative – in partnership with Places for People. 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
Novus Completes the Refurbishment of Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust Community Centre
Novus announced Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust as our third Build Back Better Challenge winners!
The London charity offers a range of services to support members of the LGBT+ community and their families.
As challenge winners, Novus has completed improvement works to their community centre as well as urgently repaired a damaged roof.
READ MORE
Moor Trees Project - Novus funds the planting of hundreds of trees across Devonshire
Moor Trees was announced our second Build Back Better challenge winner. The charity is dedicated to helping enhance forest heritage and restore nature character woodland across Devonshire County.
At Novus we are committed in reducing our carbon footprint to help reach our ambitious sustainability targets, as well as supporting local communities on positive environmental initiatives.
It is because of this, Moor Trees was announced our second Build Back Better challenge winner. The charity is dedicated to helping enhance forest heritage and restore nature character woodland across Devonshire County.
Working in partnership, Novus and The Guinness Partnership funded the planting of hundreds of trees across the region, whilst providing a team of volunteers to maintain the saplings that were being grown in a Moor Trees nursery.
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 was 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.
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
Our “Volunteer Hero” initiative is part of our wider Build Back Better campaign and sees all Novus employees encouraged to volunteer for local community causes during ordinary work hours.
To launch the initiative in March 2021, 16 volunteers from our Stoke office 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 is 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 is 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 is 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 has 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 2022.
Find out More
Latest Good News Stories
NOVUS HOSTS SOCIAL INCLUSION DAY FOR HOME GROUP RESIDENTS
Whilst working on a planned maintenance contract for our client Home Group, we hosted a social inclusion day at Bodin Gardens, Basingstoke, which enabled residents to come together, meet the team and share stories.
NOVUS SUPPORTS RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY MEMORIAL TRIBUTE
On the 1st and 2nd of August our we rallied round to support long-standing client Riverside with a community project in memorial of Karen Lewis, Riverside’s Head of Business Management, who sadly passed away after a short but brave battle with cancer.
NOVUS PREVENTS OVER 200 ITEMS OF FURNITURE FROM GOING TO LANDFILL BY DONATING THEM TO CHARITY
Whilst working on a student accommodation refurbishment project in Edinburgh, we saved over 200 items of furniture from going to landfill by donating them to homeless charity Four Square.
NOVUS SUPPORTS LOCAL PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES THROUGH ITS ‘THINK LOCAL’ APPROACH
We’re committed to employing local people and supporting local businesses through our ‘Think Local’ approach. This approach is a core ethic and value of our business and helps us in being a force for good.
NOVUS ATTENDS GRAND OPENING OF CANAL COURT
Novus colleagues were delighted to attend the grand opening of Canal Court, where we have carried out a number of internal and external works.
BUILD BACK BETTER: NOVUS COMPLETES THE REFURBISHMENT OF MOSAIC LGBT+ YOUNG PERSONS’ TRUST COMMUNITY CENTRE
As a business, we are committed to creating a diverse workforce which reflects the customers we work with and the communities we serve. Based on this ethos, we chose Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust as our third Build Back Better challenge winners.
BUILD BACK BETTER: NOVUS FUNDS AND VOLUNTEERS AT MOOR TREES
We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint to help reach our ambitious sustainability targets, as well as supporting local communities on positive environmental initiatives. It is because of this, we chose Moor Trees as our second Build Back Better challenge winners.
NOVUS BEGINS THE CREATION OF A COMMUNITY GARDEN FOR HOSPITAL
Whilst on site at North Manchester General hospital, the Novus healthcare team have taken the initiative to create a landscaped area for staff and patients of the Intensive Care Unit.
NOVUS TRANSFORMS SHELTERED ACCOMMODATION FLOWER BEDS
Novus join forces with our sub contractor Kato Group, the Wrexham County Borough Council gardening team, and a few green fingered residents to transform the overgrown grounds of Cambrian Place Sheltered Accommodation.
CLO GOES GREEN
In keeping with our environmental commitments and Carbon Reduction Plan, our Burton office has taken the lead in piloting a bike transportation scheme for one of their Customer Liaison Officers, Michelle Eden.
Novus Launches 2022 Food Bank Appeal
We are thrilled to have launched our 2022 food bank appeal! Novus colleagues voted that we should be supporting local food banks as part of our wider Build Back Better initiative. Our teams are already getting stuck in, with plans to support food banks up and down the country over the festive period and beyond.
