The Home Builders Federation has asked the housebuilding industry to continue its support of the NHS and charities as the country maintains lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The organisation is appealing to housebuilders to donate PPE (personal protective equipment) to the NHS as crisis continues and says it is working closely with its members to co-ordinate the delivery of much-needed equipment to hospitals and healthcare providers.
Among the items most in demand, it said are disposable FFP3 respirator face masks, fluid-resistant Type IIR surgical masks, coverall suits Cat 3 Type 5/6, clinical aprons, surgical gloves, anti-fog glasses, and anti-bacterial wipes/gel small and large.
“Hospitals from Dundee to Brighton have taken delivery of a range of equipment,” HBF said, adding that it was also working with organisations and companies within the construction industry, including CVG Recruitment, the DE Group and the NEADs Initiative.
Stewart Baseley, HBF’s executive chairman, said: “In these unprecedented and difficult times it is fantastic to see our industry stepping forward in this way. I would urge all housebuilders to do all they can to help the people who are working so hard in our health service to save lives.”
National housebuilder Barratt Developments, currently WhatHouse? Housebuilder of the Year, is donating protective equipment to hospitals across the country, including thousands of face masks which are usually used by construction teams but not necessary while building sites are closed.
John Reddington, managing director at David Wilson Homes East Midlands, said: “We’re proud of our employees for their decision to support those whose need is greater, and we’re thrilled to make the most of this opportunity to support our key workers.
Daniel Smith, managing director at Barratt Developments Yorkshire East, commented: “In this time of need, it’s important that we continue to work together as a collective and support our NHS staff whilst they continue to be the heroes in this battle we’re facing."
Niveda Realty, specialists in student accommodation in the North West, has offered the use of its 735-bedroom Calico development in Liverpool to the government for use by NHS key workers
Manchester-based developers Kamani Property and Capital & Centric have been working in partnership with Greater Manchester’s Mayor’s Charity and provided their Swan Street site as drop-off point for essentials for the city’s homeless during the coronavirus crisis.
The charity has asked businesses in the area to donate a whole range of things to meet the needs of the homeless including food, welfare and hygiene packages, food preparation equipment, cutlery and crockery, and IT equipment, as well as transportation to deliver some of these.
CEO of Kamani Property, Adam Kamani, said: “It goes without saying that this is a time to pool resources & lend a helping hand wherever possible, therefore we’re happy that we can do something to help during the current crisis.”
Abel Homes is a regional housebuilder based in Norfolk which has also donated equipment that is currently not needed on construction sites it has suspended. A consignment of FFP2 masks, which would normally be used by workmen carrying out tasks such as plastering or sanding, was sent to the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital.
Abel Homes chairman Tony Abel said: “At this time of national emergency, we must all do what we can to help. With work suspended at our sites, sending these masks for use by NHS frontline workers is the least we could do.”
Developer Lifestory, which operates under its age-exclusive PegasusLife and Renaissance Retirement brands, has introduced an intergenerational campaign to overcome the restrictions of self-isolation and social distancing. Called Stronger Together, it has inspired hundreds of school-aged children to write ‘pen-pal’ style letters to send to owners at their developments, who can then reply to share their own experiences of life. It is hoped that this initiative will generate lasting friendships and ensure regular communication – essential at a time of uncertainty for all.
Mark Dickinson, CEO of Lifestory, commented: “’Alone we are strong, together we are stronger’, is a core message that sits behind the Stronger Together campaign. Social distancing measures and difficulty of accessing family and friends mean that our owners, many of whom usually play a really active day to day role in our communities, are staying in their homes.
“Loneliness is already at epidemic levels among older people in England. We believe Stronger Together provides a great community platform to help ease the loneliness and isolation that people, of all ages will inevitably feel at this time.
Ballymore has joined forces with The Espresso Room Pantry at its London City Island development in Leamouth to offer a special Gift Box of grocery essentials free to NHS worker residents. These typically include bread, vegetables and fruit, as well as a sweet treat and they are being made available to NHS staff living at any Ballymore development free of charge, on email request – with a copy of NHS ID – to the pantry. Other residents at the development can also buy a Gift Box from the pantry which, like other groceries and a selection of healthy menu dishes, can all be delivered to the home to help those self-isolating.