Home > Our Work > Team effort transforms London day centre for people who are homeless

Homelessness London Nov 2023

Team effort transforms London day centre for people who are homeless

The Manna is a day centre in Islington, London that supports people who are marginalised, vulnerable or homeless.

With an average of 90 visitors a day, they offer a safe place where people can visit without judgment. Visitors can have a shower and wash their clothes; they can have something to eat and the chance to speak to a friendly face and receive independent advice.

The need

The Manna project is based out of the church hall at St Stephen’s, Canonbury. The well-used building had faced years of wear and tear; with damaged paint work, broken doors and uneven flooring that caused a trip-hazard.

The shower room is used up to 25 times a day and needed a complete transformation. The people who visit The Manna do not complain or take notice of the building’s flaws, they are simply grateful to have a shower – this refurbishment project was about creating a higher standard that makes the people who visit feel valued.

Before & After:

The Project

Corporate Patron Arcadis joined CRASH on the initial visit to discuss the charity’s needs, a subsequent report was put together, and a plan put into place!

CRASH called on Corporate Patron, VolkerFitzpatrick to lead the project, and it was a true team effort with fellow Patron, Kilnbridge supplying a discounted asbestos survey and report. Geberit donated free of charge sanitaryware for the shower room, whilst Dulux Decorator Centre supported the project with colour specifiers, who designed and created a bespoke colour palette to suit the space and its needs, as well as providing the required paint free of charge.

CRASH supporters Altro donated discounted flooring to the main dining area and office space, removing previous trip hazards and brightening the space up. Supporter, Mossford installed the new shower room whilst Pentalec completely fitted out the space with new lighting, both at a discounted rate.

Corporate Patron Dulux’s donated paint being applied to walls!

The office area was spruced up; exposed pipes were boxed in, storage racking added and the floor prepared for new vinyl flooring.

The brand new shower room is now fit for purpose, durable and easy to maintain.

New flooring, lighting and fresh paintwork helps to brighten up the space

Featuring The Manna branded signage, gifted by Corporate Patron VolkerFitzpatrick

Those involved gathered to see The Manna in action; chatting with visitors & volunteers who are making use of the new space

L to R, Mark Smith, Pre-Construction Director at VolkerFitzpatrick, Matt Pullen, Trustee at CRASH and Pip – who often visits The Manna with her owner

The outcome

The shower room has been transformed into a clean and easy to maintain space – following The Manna’s closing for refurbishment, it is back to its frequent use by the people who visit.
The bespoke colour palette gives the space the warm, cosy and safe feeling it deserves.
New flooring is a durable, easy to look after surface that suits The Manna and their needs, it has brightened up the space and removed all trip hazard risks.
New energy-efficient lighting has been fitted throughout the hall which has helped to give the space a cheerful lift and will result in cost savings in the long run.
VolkerFitzpatrick went the extra mile… kitting out the kitchen with a new microwave, creating and hanging ‘The Manna’ banners around the hall and gifting the charity’s dedicated team of volunteers their very own The Manna branded T-shirt.

Finishing touches…

CRASH is currently in the process of adding some finishing touches to the project with the help of Corporate Patrons, Areen Design and Beale & Co… stay tuned!

VolkerFitzpatrick will also be donating laptops to The Manna, which give visitors a space to look for employment.

The impact

The Gift in Kind value from donated expertise and products on the project totalled 24,365.
CRASH pledged a grant of £27,000, which included a generous £10,000 restricted donation from VolkerFitzpatrick – this covered all remaining costs for the project at no cost to The Manna.
Total value of support from CRASH, Corporate Patrons and supporters for this project was £51,365.

The Tony Denison Award

Anne Cartwright is the lead volunteer at The Manna and has volunteered there for 30 years. It is Anne’s commitment, dedication and desire to help those most in need that saw her take home the Tony Denison Award at CRASH’s recent Corporate Patrons’ Reception. This award is named after CRASH founder, and former industry professional Tony Denison and celebrates the individuals who share Tony’s values and qualities, such as compassion and commitment to helping people. Congratulations Anne and thank you for your contribution to the homelessness sector.

“We approached CRASH seeking help with a shower that was so well-used that it had become shabby and not very pleasant and a floor that had pieces missing. CRASH undertook to tackle both these problems. But it didn’t stop there! They looked round the building and came up with lots more ideas, things we hadn’t really noticed or were reluctant to ask for. VolkerFitzpatrick were brilliant to work with, efficient, helpful & friendly. A big thank you to them and to all the suppliers and others who were involved, and also to CRASH who made us feel we were working in partnership rather than being recipients of charity. We now feel much more confident that we can offer our visitors a good standard of facilities and they feel that they matter.”

Anne Cartwright

Volunteer at The Manna

“I would like to thank all those that helped make this refurbishment possible and our incredible refurbishment project team, for their commitment, generosity and time, helping to make this amazing charity project a success. Our support and contributions to this project have provided a positive impact for the facility users, and the staff at ‘The Manna’. I personally got to know some of The Manna’s frequent visitors, staff and volunteers during the project and can see first-hand how much the upgrades will benefit the local Islington community for years to come. I would also like to say a big thank you to team Manna who do such an amazing job providing care, advice and support to those that need it. It’s a great sense of satisfaction knowing that we all made a difference.”

Jason Fairbrass

Operations Manager at VolkerFitzpatrick

“Every Thursday, The Manna volunteers ask visitors what filling they would like in their omelette and how they would like it cooked. It is this simple kind question and the opportunity to choose that makes visitors feel so comfortable, safe and valued – The Manna now has the space to match their compassion and care. Thank you to the wonderful Corporate Patrons and supporters of CRASH who helped make this project happen – together, with your donated professional expertise, construction products and generous industry-wide fundraising, you have left a lasting impact in the Islington community – together we construct places that care for people.”