News & Views Stonepillow x Neilcott Partnership Back to news & views Neilcott Construction has been proud to build a meaningful partnership with Stonepillow, a West Sussex charity supporting people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. At Neilcott, we look beyond the buildings we deliver and consider how each project can create a positive and lasting impact within its local community. Across our sites, our teams work with clients, charities, community groups and our supply chain to deliver meaningful social value through fundraising, volunteering, donations, employment opportunities and community engagement. As part of our work at the Alexandra Theatre, we have partnered with Stonepillow to support a range of initiatives benefiting people experiencing homelessness and hardship across the local area. Stonepillow Stonepillow provides accommodation, food, advice and ongoing support through its hubs, hostels and supported housing services. Its work helps people address the challenges they are facing, rebuild their confidence and move towards living independently. Our relationship with the charity developed through the delivery of the Alexandra Theatre project in Bognor Regis and forms part of our commitment to creating lasting social value within the communities where we work. Providing Practical Support As a construction business, we wanted to offer more than financial support. Members of the Neilcott team joined forces with two of our supply chain partners to donate their time and skills to improve Stonepillow’s supported accommodation. This has been Part 1, to be followed by a second day of improvement works at Stonepillow’s hostel in Bognor Regis. Working directly with the charity allowed the teams to focus their efforts where they were most needed, completing practical improvement works that helped create safer, more welcoming and comfortable environments for residents. The support provided by our supply chain partners demonstrated the difference that can be made when local businesses work together and use their skills to support an important community service. See below some before and after pictures of the hostels. We have also provided furniture donations from site, including desks, storage units, tables, bedside cabinets, chest of drawers, bookcases, noticeboards & kitchen items such as microwaves, kettles & water cooler towers. These items have been donated to Stonepillows Charity shop, helping them raise funds towards supporting the charity. £2,000 Donation Alongside the volunteering activities, Neilcott donated £2,000 to support Stonepillow’s work with homeless and vulnerable people. The donation contributed towards the charity’s ongoing services, including providing safe accommodation, essential supplies, food and individual support to people across West Sussex. Coming Together at Christmas Our Head Office team also supported Stonepillow through a Christmas card sale and collection. Colleagues purchased Christmas cards to raise funds for the charity and donated food and other essential items for people using Stonepillow’s services. The collection provided an opportunity for employees from across the business to get involved and make a personal contribution during a particularly challenging time of year for people experiencing homelessness. The response from the team was fantastic, with colleagues coming together to provide a generous collection of food and household items for the charity. Cathedral to Coast Trek Kawsar, our Social Value Manager, took part in Stonepillow’s Cathedral to Coast Trek, joining fellow supporters on the challenging route from Chichester Cathedral to the coast. Her participation helped raise awareness and vital funds for the charity’s services, which support people experiencing homelessness across West Sussex. Stonepillow Fashion Show Kawsar and Senior Site Manager Jon England also attended Stonepillow’s Fashion Show, volunteering their time to help set up the venue and prepare for the event. These activities have provided further opportunities for our team to work directly alongside the charity and support the important work it delivers throughout the community. Additional Social Value Delivered on our Alexandra Theatre Scheme Alongside our partnership with Stonepillow, the Alexandra Theatre project team has continued to support the wider local community. Kawsar and members of the site team attended Bognor Regis Town Football Club’s match against Hayes & Yeading United at Chichester’s football ground, which was sponsored by Neilcott. The event also offered the opportunity for cash donations for Stonepillow. We appeared to bring some luck with us, as Bognor secured a brilliant 3–1 victory. Kawsar & Contracts Manager, Dave Sutherland also attended the Stonepillow event for the release of their National Christmas Appeal. We also welcomed the Mayor to the Alexandra Theatre site, providing an opportunity to share the progress being made, discuss the benefits the project will bring to the area and highlight the social value being delivered throughout its construction. Creating a Lasting Partnership Our partnership with Stonepillow reflects Neilcott’s approach to social value: listening to local organisations, understanding what support would be most useful and bringing together our employees and supply chain to make a practical difference. From financial donations and workplace fundraising to volunteering our time and construction skills, we are committed to supporting Stonepillow and the valuable work it carries out within the local community. We look forward to continuing our relationship with the charity and exploring further opportunities to support its clients, services and dedicated team.
