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Delivering on our Build Back Better promise, Novus have now completed the refurbishment of Manchester-based homeless charity Coffee4Craig’s welfare centre.

Build Back Better: Being a Force for Good

Novus launched “Build Back Better” with the vision of being a force for good, encompassing three target areas as selected by our colleagues: reducing poverty, positive environmental action, and promoting health & wellbeing.

In a initiative we dubbed “The Build Back Challenge,” our colleagues, clients, supply chain and the wider community are encouraged to to nominate causes they feel are deserving of additional funding and support from Novus.

In April, we announced that Coffee4Craig was selected by our review panel as the first Build Back Better Challenge winner.

Creating the Wellbeing Zone

Through the funding and refurbishments carried out by Novus, Coffee4Craig are now able offer a much improved environment for their guests.

The transformation of the underutilised communal room into a Wellbeing Zone was the key feature of the project.

This space was completely reconfigured to make it more comfortable and inviting for Coffee4Craig’s visitors. The completed Wellbeing Zone now features a salon corner, welcoming seating area, and new shelving to store charitable donations.

In addition, our teams also improved washing and changing facilities and installed two new kitchen units, adding to the functionality of the building.

A Team Effort

Novus called upon various members of its supply chain to assist in the project, and they did not disappoint.

The kitchen units donated by Howdens, paint donated by PPG, and timber donated by Travis Perkins.

Our painters and decorators carried out the interior redecoration with support of subcontractors and the Diamond Projects team, who handled the installation of the kitchen units and shelves.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our supply chain partners for their kind donation of materials and time.

“A Safe Place to Meet and Receive Support”

Coffee4Craig’s CEO and Co-Founder, Hendrix Lancaster, said:

“My wife Risha and I established Coffee4Craig in 2013 after sadly losing my brother-in-law, Craig, who found himself homeless and living on the streets through mental health challenges.”

“Our experience made us realise that this can happen to anyone, and that more support is needed for individuals facing homelessness.”

“Coffee4Craig has continued to grow from initially handing out food in Manchester City Centre, to now providing individuals facing the harsh realities of living on the streets with a safe place to meet and receive support – and we couldn’t have done this without the support of our staff and volunteers, as well as businesses like Novus.”

“Thanks to Novus’ support, we have been able to improve the function of the building for our guests, providing them with a better overall service and in turn, improving their wellbeing.”

Kevin Rhone – Social Value and CSR Partner at Novus added:

“Giving back to the communities in which we work has always been a fundamental value of Novus as a business, and we’re delighted to have been able to support Coffee4Craig through our new Build Back Better initiative. The charity does vital work for Manchester’s homeless community and those in crisis, so it’s fantastic to see the transformation of the centre’s facilities.

“We are now accepting nominations for charities and community organisations which would benefit from Novus’ support for the second Build Back Better challenge via our website, and we look forward to continuing our support of deserving causes.”

Build Back Better: Find Out More

For more on how we’re Building Back Better over the coming weeks and months, visit the Build Back Better section of the website.

From there, you can see the latest CSR updates from the business and nominate worthy causes (like Coffee4Craig) throughout the year as part of the Build Back Better Challenge.