A new lease of life for an old barracks supporting homeless people and the wider community.
East Sussex
Homelessness
Sep 2022
CRASH adds finishing touches to homelessness charity, Emmaus Hastings and Rother
CRASH has a longstanding relationship with homelessness charity, Emmaus Hastings & Rother, working together on a series of projects to revamp their community site and Charity Superstore. Most recently the charity contacted CRASH to help add some finishing touches that would both brighten up the space and make it more welcoming to companions and shoppers. So, CRASH called upon its wonderful network of Corporate Patrons and Supporters to help…
Emmaus Hastings and Rother provide a home and meaningful work for 23 companions (formerly homeless people). These companions take up meaningful work in the Charity Superstore, collecting, renovating, and reselling donated goods. As the charity’s primary income source, the Superstore not only supports the community financially but provides companions with life skills to help them get back on their feet.
The need
Emmaus Hastings and Rother wanted to brighten up the area between the accommodation building and charity superstore, whilst not restricting access to either building.
The solution
CRASH contacted Supporter, Aimbec Carpentry who kindly donated planters free of charge, positioned on wheels these planters can be easily moved should access be required.
All that was needed now, was some help to tidy up the space, fill the planters and paint them – that’s when CRASH Corporate Patrons Dulux Decorator Centre and Beale & Co stepped in…
Beale & Co Volunteers, Anna Braden, Benjamin Spannuth and Andrew Geach made the journey to the coast armed with paintbrushes and paint kindly donated by CRASH Corporate Patron, Dulux Decorator Centre, the volunteers gave their time and painting skills to transform the charities planters and brighten up the space.
Volunteer, Andrew in action…
Proud to help!
Volunteers Anna, Ben and Andrew from CRASH Corporate Patron, Beale & Co
The new planters sit between the accommodation building and charity superstore
The finished product!
“I wanted to volunteer with CRASH to get involved with one of their brilliant projects they do to assist homeless charities around the UK. It was great to meet all the lovely people at Emmaus Hastings and Rother and contribute a small part to the amazing work they are doing to build a community to provide homes and work for their formerly homeless residents.”
Senior Associate at Beale & Co
“Dulux Decorator Centre is a proud patron of CRASH. We have a long-standing relationship with the charity and have supported them on numerous projects such as the homelessness project in Hastings over the years – donating paint to help them bring colour to people’s lives. Together, we deliver lasting social impact in communities across the UK.”
Marketing Manager at Dulux Decorator Centre
“The three volunteers from Beale & Co; Anna, Andrew and Ben were a pleasure to have in the community and our thanks go out to them for painting and planting our four wooden planters. Another huge thanks to Paul Condon at Aimbec carpentry for supplying the planters and to CRASH Corporate Patron, Dulux for donating the paint for them. The planters have made a perfect green barrier between our busy superstore and the accommodation building.”
Community Manager at Emmaus Hastings & Rother
The total value of this project was £7,258.36, which was made up of donated products and the value of volunteer’s time.
We are a small team of 4 full-time employees, and we need your help!
Whilst most of our volunteering opportunities are through giving professional expertise and advice to charity construction projects. CRASH sometimes needs general volunteers from our Corporate Patron companies to help at fundraising events with important things like collecting donations.
If you are interested in hearing about volunteering for CRASH at evening and London-based events, please contact Hannah on hmiller@crash.org.uk.
