A new lease of life for an old barracks supporting homeless people and the wider community.
Homelessness
London
Mar 2014
EC Harris and Sir Robert McAlpine Volunteers Team Up to Give Drop In Centre A New Lease of Life
A short distance from Oxford Circus, London Jesus Centre provides “an oasis of peace in the heart of the capital”.
The need
Their service are aimed primarily at supporting the disadvantaged and homeless or vulnerably housed as well as friendship and help to all regardless of their faith. Services include a drop-in facility for people in particular need, with provision for laundry, food, showers and so on; a skills suite with IT facilities and courses in a wide variety of subjects (for example: ESOL, Citizenship, basic life skills, arts and crafts).
Owing to its extensive day-to-day use, the Drop In Room was tired and in real need of rejuvenation.
The solution
CRASH called on patrons EC Harris and Sir Robert McAlpine for volunteer support.
How patrons helped
Under the expert guidance of Sir Robert McAlpine’s Riverwalk project team and armed with technical expertise from Akzonobel Dulux Trade, the team of 11 completely transformed the crucial area of the Day Centre creating a welcoming refuge from the streets of London.
The social impact
“We are committed to making a positive contribution to the communities in which we work so the team Riverwalk welcomed the opportunity to utilise their skills and knowledge to help improve the Drop In room at the Jesus Centre. It was a pleasure to work with EC Harris and to be able to support CRASH.“
at Robert McAlpine
“It was an intensely enjoyable day, and hugely satisfying to contribute towards the refreshment of such a well-used area, within such an imperative front line charity. It’s not just the Drop in room that has been given a new lease of life, as one of the Centre’s clients put it, “The Jesus Centre makes me feel like a human being again.”
at EC Harris
“London Jesus Centre and its clients would like to give a big thank you to CRASH and to volunteers from EC Harris and Sir Robert McAlpine for helping to restore the drop in to its original state and making it all the more a pleasant place for the homeless and vulnerably housed to enjoy.”
Facilities Manager at London Jesus Centre
