Charity work and philanthropy is a central tenet of the Livery movement, and something Worshipful Company of Builders’ Merchants strongly believes in. One of the charities to benefit this year was the Build Up Foundation. Here, we take an in-depth look at Build Up’s work, and how WCoBM has helped.
Every member of the Company donates to the WCoBM Charity Fund each year, with these funds then being used to support a wide range of charitable organisations.
Some of these organisations, like CRASH, Band of Builders and Rainy Day Trust work to support people related to the Building Materials and Construction industries, while others such as the London Air Ambulance and Breast Cancer UK, for example, work in the wider community.
During 2022-2023 the Company was privileged to be able to make donations totalling more than £100,000 for the second year running. All these donations are overseen by the Company’s Charities Committee, chaired by Almoner John Poore.
One of the charities benefitting from this support is the Build Up Foundation – an organisation that runs practical construction projects for young people aged 10-23. Build Up gives young people the opportunity to design and build structures that will benefit their local communities, to run and manage construction sites, make real decisions and see the real-life impact they can have.
Working locally in schools, community centres and playgrounds, Build Up enables young people to take on roles they have never had access to, and to develop skills while creating something for the communities in which they live.
The Company has supported Build Up for a number of years, and in 2023 donated £13,000+ in materials to support their construction projects.
Some of the young people involved in Build Up projects were also recipients of an award at the WCoBM City & Awards luncheon, at which they received a £500 Amazon voucher.
Director Huan Rimington explained: “We worked with Bexley Snap, an organisation that supports disabled young adults. We spent two weeks looking at how the outdoor spaces at Belvedere Community Centre in Bexley, could be improved. The area was a significant space, but nothing was accessible and it couldn’t really be used to its full potential. The Bexley Snap ‘Youth Allowed Club’ came up with a design to build accessible benches and tables to help improve the centre, which they then helped oversee over two further weeks.”
Huan continued: “We were delighted to be able to recommend the Youth Allowed Club for the Worshipful Company’s Awards. We see the awards as recognising what young people have achieved both for themselves and their communities.”
For Huan, Build Up’s work is vital because it helps young people to shape their local area and build their skills and abilities in the process. He said: “They join our builds and learn practical construction skills such as using tools, how to make things, site safety, and also social and employability skills like listening, communication and how to work together.
“It’s a great thing for them to put on their CV, gives them confidence and shows the impact that they can have in their community. They’re able to create something that’s going to be there for years to come, and they can walk past it and say: ‘I built that, that’s a positive change that I have made’.”
Other projects Build Up has been working on this year include a design project to improve a pathway in Hackney that’s used by everyone in the community – a walking/cycling route that has major safety and accessibility issues.
Build Up is also involved with the creation of an orchard and community picnic space in Canning Town, and an adventure playground in Tower Hamlets that features a firepit where people can eat together and learn outdoor skills.
During all these projects, young people come together to brainstorm ideas on what’s needed, and Build Up helps raise funds and facilitate the project from start to completion.
While some of these projects are paid for by other organisations, others are funded directly by Build Up from donations and grants it receives – including the funds from WCoBM.
Huan said: “The Company has been incredible – they first started working with us when we’d just started to grow and expand, and they enabled us practically to do that by providing materials for our workshop, as well as all our tools, equipment and fixings.
“When our van was stolen two years ago they funded £5,000 towards a replacement, and many of the Members of the Company have kindly donated materials for our projects, which make a huge difference.
“John Poore in particular has been amazing – he has put in a huge amount of work both in connecting people and making these things happen. When you are doing building projects you need good quality materials and equipment that’s going last – or someone’s going to be picking up the costs later. John and the Company have been an amazing partner helping us get what we need and that has enabled us to do our work.”
You can find out more about Build Up at www.buildup.org.uk
