CRASH: Construction and Property Industry Charity for the Homeless
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CRASH usually has around 40 active projects at any one time. Voluntary agencies request our assistance and, subject to our approval, we then liaise with our supporters and help to co-ordinate the necessary supply of materials, services and knowledge required by the voluntary agency.

There are case studies for the projects listed below, most recent first.

The degree of support that CRASH can mobilise for a project often depends on agencies contacting us sooner rather than later. See our Guide to Agencies for how to apply for CRASH support.

Case studies

Amber Project, Ashley Court
The Amber Foundation Devon, South West
Residential training centre - Ashley Court helps unemployed people aged 18 to 30 affected by substance misuse, on probation, or just released from prison to gain the self respect, motivation and skills to gain sustainable employment. They provide accommodation and life skills training to young people. CRASH assisted this project with the supply of materials.  [case study]
Supported by: Buildbase | Knauf Insulation | Lafarge Plasterboard



Bradford Cyrenians Emergency Hostel & Flats
Bradford Cyrenians Bradford, Yorkshire and the Humber
Direct Access Hostel - The project had a large basement room which required converting to two, providing a new laundry room for residents. CRASH Patron HBG carried out the work and they now have a much cleaner, brighter environment which the clients can use at their own convenience and do not have to wait for staff to give them access. Also, operating the machines provides the residents with different skills. HBG also connected an extra washing machine and tumble drier so clients do not have to queue to do their laundry. The room is now light and has been decorated making a more pleasant environment.  [case study]
Supported by: HBG UK North



Booth Centre Garden
The Booth Centre Manchester, North West and Merseyside
Day Centre Garden - CRASH designed and, with the support of a Patron company, created a garden to provide an area for the "wet" clients.  [case study]
Supported by: BMF Millennium Fund | Castle Nails | John Laing plc | Nullifire | Travis Perkins



Booth Centre Kitchen
The Booth Centre Manchester, North West and Merseyside
Day Centre - Day centre adjacent to Manchester Cathedral which required help with the design and build of a new kitchen. CRASH supported with funds raised from the CPA luncheon and Brick Development Association Awards dinner. Officially opened in May 2004.  [case study]
Supported by: Brick Development Association | Construction Products Association | Zantec



Bina Gardens Youth Unit Repaint
St Martin of Tours SW5, London
Direct Access Hostel - Four storey building with 18 rooms for clients urgently required repainting. CRASH arranged for works to be undertaken by a team from Bovis Lendlease.  [case study]
Supported by: B&Q | Bovis Lend Lease



Big House
West London Mission SE5, London
Move on Accommodation - Building in Camberwell Rd, sourced by West London Mission, provides 10 flats as move on accommodation for the West London Day Centre (CRASH flagship project). CRASH was involved with the total refurbishment of the building. Also supported by advertising agency Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO.  [case study]
Supported by: British Gypsum | Dircon | Epsompace | Eternit Building Materials | Glen Dimplex | Gradus Flooring | Knauf | MK Electric | Saniflo | Story of Christmas | Taplanes of Harrogate | Travis Perkins | Vent Axia



Bridge Trust Properties
The Bridge Trust Kent, South East
Hostel - CRASH helped two of the Bridge Trust properties - one in Tunbridge Wells and the other in Tonbridge both of which required new kitchens fitted. The projects were provided with replacement kitchen units, flooring, re-tiling, new sink, taps and wiring. Heat detector alarm units and extractor fans were also fitted and the whole area completely redecorated. Before the refurbishment staff felt demoralised as they could make little progress in improving resident's life skills. Clients have now taken pride in their home and started to ask for the rest of the property to be redecorated and morale has improved as there are more services to go round. A number of residents have said that their feeling of self worth has improved. CRASH patron United House undertook the work and the project commented on their efficiency and workmanship. They were also very accommodating to the challenges the clients could present. Saved project c. £10,000  [case study]
Supported by: B&Q



St John's Beacon Project
The Beacon Management Group Nottingham, East Midlands
Day Centre - The project has a church hall which they wanted to convert to supply a drugs and alcohol dependency unit for homeless people over 25. CRASH were asked to help with central heating, disabled toilet and shower facilities. CRASH sourced an architect and Patron HBG Construction organised the refurbishment of the church hall and provided materials either free of charge or at greatly reduced cost. The homeless people themselves were overwhelmed with the finished project and at least 16 people have been housed and changed their lifestyle. Clients are provided with 3 meals a week and can have showers and the ability to launder clothes. They also have a regular nurse using the doctor's surgery.  [case study]
Supported by: Altro Floors | Baxi Group | British Gypsum | Eclipse Design | Falcon Foodservice Equipment | HBG UK Midland | MK Electric | Windsor Half Marathon



Carpenter's Arms, Loughborough
Lifelines for the Homeless Loughborough, East Midlands
Move on Accommodation - Ex pub/hotel required total refurbishment to provide 12 bed supported accommodation. Included complete rewiring, refitting of kitchen, office and communal areas. CRASH assisted with the supply of services and materials.  [case study]
Supported by: Baldwin Construction | Baxi Group | British Gypsum | E H Smith (Builders Merchants) | Hunter Plastics | Lister Locks | Marflow Engineering | MK Electric | Saint-Gobain-Isover | Saniflo | Screwfix | Twyford Bathrooms | Windsor Half Marathon | Worshipful Company of Builders Merchants



Heaven Project
Community Campus 87 Ltd. Stockton-on-Tees, North East
Community - Semi derelict former night club called "Heaven" which required conversion to provide space for training, counselling & workshops. Conversion was carried out by homeless young people who were learning a building trade whilst refurbishing and renovating the premises. CRASH assisted with the supply of materials.  [case study]
Supported by: B&Q | BMF Millennium Fund | British Gypsum | Homebase | Knauf | Knauf Insulation | Materials from CRASH store | Newey & Eyre | Real Door Company | Stelrad | Travis Perkins | Twyford Bathrooms | Yorkshire Copper Tube | Yorkshire Fittings



CCA St Martin's Day Centre, West Street
St Richard of Chichester Christian Care Association Bognor Regis, South East
Day Centre - Project required the joining of two shops for a day centre and provision of disabled toilet, kitchen, insulation etc. CRASH assisted with the supply of materials.  [case study]
Supported by: B&Q | Baxi Group | Builder Center | Covers Builders Merchants | E H Smith (Builders Merchants) | Knauf | Lister Locks | Marley Floors | Materials from CRASH store | MK Electric | Premdor | Reliance Water Controls | Stelrad | Travis Perkins | Twyford Bathrooms



Centrepoint Derwentside
Centrepoint CountyDurham, North East
Short Term accommodation - The building was completely refurbished from a derelict state including total internal and external redecoration. New showers, new windows, security system, IT/electrical infrastructure, new bathrooms and carpets. The main living room was reconfigured. CRASH provided £20,000 and introduced George Wimpey who provided labour and materials at discounted and cost rates. The renovation provided a clean, light and airy space which provides a positive atmosphere for staff to work and provides a safe, calm and conducive environment for young people to take control of their lives.  [case study]
Supported by: Altro Floors | Emap Construction | George Wimpey | Heckmondwike | Knauf Insulation | Lister Locks | Marflow Engineering | Saniflo | SigmaKalon



Crag House Farm Resource Centre
Caring for Life Leeds, Yorkshire and the Humber
Food distribution - Caring for Life at Crags House Farm is a day centre for homeless people in the Leeds area, elsewhere in the city they provide short stay supported accommodation. At the farm training is provided in a wide range of topics and required extending to provide additional toilet facilities and installation of shower, laundry and changing rooms. Work was carried out by the Leeds office of CRASH Patron Wates who have now adopted the charity for their fundraising activities.  [case study]
Supported by: CRASH No Xmas Card Campaign | Divertimenti | Hunter Plastics | Illuma | Knauf | No Xmas Card Campaign | Stelrad | Wates Group



Emmaus Bristol Workshop
Emmaus Bristol Bristol, South West
Workshop - The Emmaus site in Old Market takes unwanted household items, such as furniture, bicycles and electrical goods, and repairs and restores them. The items are then sold to the public and the money earned is used to support the organisation. By using plasterboard partitions, CRASH Patron Lafarge created two new self contained rooms and they also provided the labour to carry out the work. Creating the workshop has improved the quality of the refurbished furniture and has contributed to higher sales. Having a safe, properly designed and equipped workshop is a great motivator for the people who use it and has helped raise the level of skills of the workforce. A few of their companions are enjoying working in "their space" and are keen to stay.  [case study]
Supported by: Alfred McAlpine | B&Q | Dohn Prout | E H Smith (Builders Merchants) | Lafarge Plasterboard | Travis Perkins



Emmanuel House Kitchen Refurbishment
Emmanuel House Day Centre Nottingham, East Midlands
Day Centre - Only Day Centre in Nottingham. Situated on the lower two floors of a three storey building required redesign and modernisation of kitchen to provide over 100 meals a day. CRASH assisted with the supply of materials and architectural services.  [case study]
Supported by: BMF Millennium Fund | Jackson Builders Merchants | Knauf Insulation | Marley Floors | P. Waller | Rugby Benevolent Fund



Emmaus Village Carlton - Alborada House
Emmaus Carlton, East of England
Community - Project divided into three phases to establish an Emmaus community. Phase One involved refurbishment of old school into an accommodation block to provide accommodation for 17 companions as well as recreation space for 29 people. CRASH assisted in sourcing materials for the refurbishment and liaised with the project manager throughout. Project now has better living accommodation allowing companions space to work and relax together in a much better environment.  [case study]
Supported by: B&Q | British Petroleum | E H Smith (Builders Merchants) | Encon Insulation | Heckmondwike | Hunter Plastics | Knauf | Lister Locks | Marflow Engineering | Marley Floors | MK Electric | Premdor | Saint-Gobain-Isover | Sanmina | Stelrad | Vent Axia



Haines House - Garden
Cricklewood Homeless Concern NW2, London
Horticultural - This is a 7 bed hostel which provides alcohol and drug rehabilitation. CRASH engaged the services of Chelsea garden designer to redesign their garden so that it could be used to develop interpersonal skills amongst their clients.  [case study]
Supported by: Aggregate Industries | B&Q | Paul Cooper | Story of Christmas



London Connection Redesign
The London Connection WC2, London
Day Centre - Re-design of ground floor and basement of day centre for young people. CRASH provided designer, contractor and sourced materials.  [case study]
Supported by: Albion Stone Quarries | B&Q | Display Signs | Homebase | International Paints | Materials from CRASH store | Newey & Eyre | Palgrave Brown (UK) | Paul Daly | Wates Group | WES Airsure



Lodging House Mission Internet Café
Lodging House Mission Glasgow, Scotland
Day Centre - Church hall being used as a day centre required the design and fit of an internet café for use by clients. CRASH contributed towards design fees and sourced materials. Officially opened August 2002.  [case study]
Supported by: BMF Millennium Fund | Newey & Eyre



Manna Day Centre Refurbishment
The Manna N1, London
Day Centre - Day centre which required the refurbishment of disabled bathroom facilities. CRASH assisted with supply of materials. Officially opened in December 2001.  [case study]
Supported by: Altro Floors | BMF Millennium Fund | Inpsyde | Newey & Eyre | Trident | Twyford Bathrooms | Vent Axia | West End Carpets



Newport Night Shelter - Maindee
Newport Action for the Single Homeless Ltd Newport, Wales
Night Shelter - CRASH assisted with the conversion of small chapel hall into a night shelter with kitchen, bathroom, fire alarms etc. Involvement by CRASH Patron also on this project.  [case study]
Supported by: Baxi Group | David Fowler Partnership | Dohn Prout | George Wimpey | Marley Floors



Worthing Churches St Clare's Day Centre
Worthing Churches Homeless Projects Worthing, South East
Day Centre - Refurbishment of derelict premises including internal redecoration. CRASH assisted with supply of materials. Officially opened on 23 July 2002.  [case study]
Supported by: B&Q | Baxi Group | BMF Millennium Fund | Catnic | H & H Celcon | H & R Johnson Tiles | Heatrae-Sadia | Homebase | Hunter Plastics | Integra Brighton | John Newton & Company | Knauf | Knauf Insulation | Lister Locks | London Pressed Hinge Company | Marley Floors | Marley Plumbing & Drainage | Materials from CRASH store | MBT Feb | Newey & Eyre | Premdor | Real Door Company | Reliance Water Controls | Stelrad | Twyford Bathrooms | Wavin Building Products

22 case studies listed