Tackling Poverty - Good News Stories
Novus launch Build Back Better initiative to make a difference
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. This blog will highlight the how we are playing our part as a business to reduce poverty and support the individuals who need it most.
An ‘Eggs’ellent Effort by the Novus Easter Bunnies
Easter is a time of year that can be even more challenging for people and families struggling to afford food, which is why our employees (or Novus Easter Bunnies) across the country wanted to play their part in donating Easter Eggs to local Food Banks.
Poverty in the UK
According to the Social Metrics Commission report, 14.3 million people are in poverty in the UK, of which 8.3 million are working-age adults, 4.6 million are children, and 1.3 million are of pension age.
It is clear that from these figures, many people struggle to afford food and it’s estimated that over 500,000 people in the UK are now reliant on food parcels, with 2 million people in the UK deemed to be “undernourished”.
How Novus Have Been Helping this Easter
Click here to view just some of the highlights of how Novus teams throughout the UK helped to support our Food Bank (Easter) Appeal: https: Novus Easter Egg Appeal Blog
Novus improve Sea Cadets Building in the North East
In partnership with client Karbon Homes Novus Volunteers repainted the external Sea Cadets Building in Hebburn in the North East. The Centre is used for the local community providing young people with life skills to achieve their full potential!
Novus redecorate Community Room
In partnership with Great Places Novus refurbished the Park Lodge Community Room for the benefit of the customers, and the Community Groups that use the facilities.
Improving community facilities can act as a driver for positive change, creating a self-help and problem-solving culture, and helping individuals move out of poverty.
Novus launch Volunteer Hero initiative
As part of the Build Back Better campaign, Novus are launching their “Volunteer Hero” Initiative, which will see all Novus employees actively encouraged to undertake volunteer work in their local communities during ordinary work hours.
Novus in Merseyside hold Skills Workshop at Homeless Hostel
Novus are working in Birkenhead in Merseyside refurbishing a derelict building into offices and temporary accommodation for a client who provide accommodation for people who are at risk of, about to become, or are homeless. The Novus team have held a series of Skills Workshops to provide the residents with Painting and Decorating skills, and give them an insight into a career in Construction.
Novus help turn Void Property into a Community Food Pantry
Working alongside Podsmead Big Local, Novus assisted in the refurbishment of and redecoration of a disused ground floor space at Halford house In Gloucester.
Our contract with GCH involved carrying out fire remedial works to Gloucester City Homes properties around the local estate, however Halford house is not part of those plans.
Novus were pleased to offer our support to the Poet’s Pantry project by assisting in the refurbishment and redecoration of the space, in addition to donating a new worktop.
The Pantry now provides healthy and accessible food source, prevent waste, and encouraging a green approach to residents and food providers.
Novus support Bristol Homeless Project
Novus in Bristol donated £120 of food vouchers to the ‘Help Bristol Homeless Project’.
This project provides support and accommodation for homeless individuals.
The accommodation has been constructed out of shipping containers as an affordable way to provide a roof over peoples’ heads.
Pomona Place Drinks Donation
As part of the planned maintenance contract with Home Group, Novus Stoke have recently completed the installation of new kitchens at Pomona Place, Pomona House, Hereford.
We asked the scheme manager at Pomona House if there was anything residents would appreciate us doing at this scheme, and the main suggestions were to donate hot drinks supplies, as the consumption is very high at the property and residents are often asking staff for more supplies.
Pomona House homes single homeless people with support needs, that have a local connection to Herefordshire.
Being able to have a steady supply of hot drinks seems like a small thing, but we have been assured that the residents are very appreciative of the donation and that it is a helpful resource to get through the day whilst building on the support they need.
The donation was kindly gifted by Mains Services who we have been working with on this scheme.
Build Back Better: The Novus Food Bank Appeal
As a business, Novus have set a clear vision to be a force for good. We know that Covid-19 has had a huge impact on our society and therefore, as a responsible business, we are committed to playing our part in supporting the communities who need the most help.
Novus Food Bank Appeal
In 2020, 32% of Novus colleagues voted that Novus should be supporting local food banks. Therefore across December and January, we held the Novus Food Bank Appeal as part of our wider Build Back Better Campaign.
Click the link to view some of the highlights of how Novus teams throughout the UK helped to support our Food Bank Appeal: Novus Food Bank Appeal Blog
Novus in Southampton go the extra mile improving a communal garden
While refurbishing a group of void properties, in addition to this the Novus team in Southampton volunteered their time to improve the communal garden with new plants and flowers.
Novus transform the outside space of a community Library
In partnership with Adactas Housing in Manchester, Novus Painted. The outside of local community library. The library is used as a day centre for pre-school children and is also the local library which also offers digital learning to the local community.
Novus deliver our first Build Back Better Challenge making a difference to a Homeless Charity
Novus Launched our Build Back Better Challenge in Q1 with the chance for a charitable cause across the UK to win £5000 worth of support from Novus. The Homeless Project in Manchester won this support as voted by our employees with their facilities being refurbished to improve the experience of their guests.
Longden House Donation
As part of the planned maintenance contract with Home Group, Novus Stoke have recently completed the installation of new kitchens at Longden House, Manchester.
We asked the staff at Longden House if there was anything we could donate, that they might think would be of benefit to the residents at this scheme and quite simply, the response was to have a kettle and hot drinks supplies donated to the communal kitchen area.
The residents at the scheme use the communal area to interact with each other and any visitors they have, such as support workers.
Being able to have a kettle and supplies in the communal area means they don’t have to walk up to their rooms in order to make drinks only to have to bring them back down to where they are trying to socialize.
The donation was kindly gifted by Mains Services who we have been working with on this scheme.
Novus in Stoke supporting their local Food Bank
The Novus Food Bank Campaign inspired the Stoke Office Team to put together a food bank donation worth £200 in total. The donations were made up of items from the Food Bank website wish list.
The, the Novus Stoke team wanted to do their part to help feed members of the local community who are struggling at this time of year. The food donation was delivered to Blurton Methodist Church where it would be then distributed to those in need around the city.
Novus Liverpool Team donate laptop to support vulnerable pupils during lockdown
Supporting client Procure Plus Novus donated £250 to fund I.T equipment for vulnerable pupils learning from home at North Liverpool Academy.
More Stories coming soon.....
If you would like to nominate any good causes for Novus to support, please e-mail buildbackbetter@novussolutions.co.uk
