Balfour Beatty, through its Crossrail joint venture BBMV, has worked with homelessness charity Providence Row to deliver an innovative new rooftop garden aimed at supporting local homeless people in East London.
The Balfour Beatty, BeMo Tunnelling, Morgan Sindall and Vinci Construction joint venture responsible for the delivery of Crossrail’s new Whitechapel and Liverpool Street Station tunnels, has worked to transform the charity’s previously unused courtyard and roof top into an area where the charity can train the homeless in catering and in the preparation of nutritious meals for 30-50 homeless people every day.
The areas also provide therapeutic spaces, off the street, where homeless people can go to relax. It will also be the site of a brand new Gardening Trainee Scheme which is due to be launched by the charity later in the Spring.
BBMV donated £30,000 seed funding for the project and also provided on-going project management support, specialist volunteers and equipment to help complete the work.
Providence Row’s CEO Pam Orchard said: “Without the financial support, knowledge, skills, volunteer time and equipment donated by BBMV the transformation of our courtyard and rooftop simply wouldn’t have been possible. Both the ornamental courtyard garden and the rooftop garden have made a real and tangible difference to the charity and will benefit us and our clients long into the future.”
Nigel Russell, BBMV Executive Project Director, “The BBMV project team has thoroughly enjoyed working with Providence Row on this innovative project. We hope these urban garden spaces will provide homeless people in East London with the opportunity to gain valuable skills and experience.”
Media Enquiries:
Scott Wilson
Tel +44 (0)20 7963 2150
scott.wilson3@balfourbeatty.com
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