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Hertfordshire Homelessness Jun 2023

New roof for homelessness charity means they can focus on what they do best

Emmaus Hertfordshire supports formerly homeless people (known as Companions) to rebuild their lives by providing a home for as long as they need it, tailored support, meaningful work & training, and a sense of belonging.

The charity offers a home to 36 people at their community building in St Albans and helps on average around 65 companions each year. The community building is also the central hub for their social enterprise activities, which focuses on the collection, refurbishment and resale of unwanted household goods, not only providing meaningful work to those at Emmaus but a valuable resource for people looking for affordable furniture in the area. Emmaus Hertfordshire also offer furniture packs either at low cost, or free of charge to families and people who need them across Hertfordshire.

The need

Emmaus Hertfordshire have occupied their home, a former nurse’s accommodation building, for just over 21 years. A recent Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) survey of their building has identified a number of areas for improvement – the most urgent priority being a roof replacement. The large roof area was at the end of its economic life and beginning to exhibit major defects, including leaks into Companions’ bedrooms.

Having worked with CRASH charity before, Emmaus Hertfordshire put in an application to help with replacing the roof.

The existing roof was old and leaking into Companions’ bedrooms

Extreme Scaffolding gave a discounted rate on the scaffolding

Bauder sought the help of local contractor CWG Group to complete works

(L-R) Gemma Beckett, Business Development at Emmaus Hertfordshire, Duncan Lewis, Chief Executive at Emmaus Hertfordshire, Gary Chambers, New Build Contracts Manager at CWG Group, Richard Belt, Trustee at Emmaus Hertfordshire and Rob Woolston, Regional Manager at Bauder

The solution

CRASH sought the help of flat roof specialist and Corporate Patron Bauder, who joined the initial visit and advised on the best course of action. Bauder also recommended and gained the help of Stevenage based contractor, CWG to carry out works on the pitched areas of the roof. Within a few weeks, Extreme Scaffolding had put up the scaffolding and preliminary works had started.

Bauder donated their expertise and flat roof materials free of charge. Whilst CWG and Extreme Scaffolding gave a discounted rate for their work. CRASH was able to offer a grant to Emmaus Hertfordshire to cover the remaining costs, meaning that there has been no cost to the charity for their new roof, allowing Emmaus Hertfordshire to shift their focus and funds back into the support and service they offer to companions and the local community.

Completed works on gutter and flat roof

Flat roof specialist and Corporate Patron, Bauder, led works at the charity

The new flat roof at Emmaus Hertfordshire

The Gift in Kind value from donated expertise and products on the project totalled £30,669.29
CRASH pledged a grant of £21,000 to cover the remaining costs of the project
Total value of support from CRASH, Corporate Patrons and supporters £51,669.29

The impact

“We would like to say a huge thank you to CRASH and the three construction companies, Bauder, CWG Group and Extreme Scaffolding, for carrying out this vital work to our roof. CRASH provides incredible support to charities like ours and we can’t thank them enough. Not only have they connected us with these amazing local contractors, but they have also been generous enough to cover the remaining cost of the work. This is just one step in a large programme of maintenance works which our community building so desperately needs.”

Duncan Lewis

Chief Executive at Emmaus Hertfordshire

‘It has been a pleasure to support CRASH charity again and Emmaus on their recent project in St Albans. To know that the support we give, allows Emmaus to use the money they raise to go straight into supporting the local homeless community and not on building maintenance is such a thrill for all at Bauder and we are more than happy to help. A BIG thankyou also to our local Approved Installer CWG Group, who have fully supported this project, and delivered a high quality roof for the community.”

Rob Woolston

Regional Manager at Bauder

“CRASH is delighted to help the Emmaus Hertfordshire community and would like to thank the generosity of the construction industry for making this possible; from the involvement of our Corporate Patron Bauder to those companies who fundraise for CRASH and make offering grants possible. This project is a testament of the construction industry’s good will and their dedication to help CRASH construct places that care for people who are homeless or receiving hospice care.”