latest news 

We have now spoken with over thirty homeless organisations across London to introduce our new recruitment project ‘Construction Buddy’. We’ve visited a number of these organisations and as well as discussing future referrals to the project, we’ve also received really useful feedback on the design of Construction Buddy.  The next stage of this one-year pilot will focus on the recruitment of our initial cohort of candidates. If you want to speak about any aspect of the project please contact ertan@phases.org.uk

Our recruitment project ‘Construction Buddy’ embarks on its next stage from November, focussing its efforts on employers within the construction industry. If you are a large corporate enterprise or a Small Medium Enterprise (SME) involved in any aspect of construction, and can offer an apprenticeship or a paid job to one of our candidates, please contact ertan@phases.org.uk

Preparations for our new recruit agency-type project ‘Construction Buddy’ start in earnest this month. Ertan Nazim is a new member of our team who will drive forward the pilot. He will be contacting homeless organisations across London for referrals to join our existing cohort of candidates. If you are interested in referring someone onto the Construction Buddy programme, please contact ertan@phases.org.uk

PHASES has successfully applied to the Enterprise Development Programme – funded by Access, The Foundation for Social Investment.  The funding is towards the development of ‘ Construction Buddy ’ – a recruitment agency-type project which will support homeless candidates into jobs and apprenticeships with construction firms. Once placed, candidates will then receive ongoing support from our ‘Construction Buddy’ to ensure successful career progression in the industry. The project will go fully live in September when we will bring you further news.

We were delighted to be named as one of the Big Issue’s ‘Top 100 Changemakers’ in its January 14th edition. This is a list of 100 people and organizations that Big Issue believes will change things in 2019. It features campaigners and campaigns, people working in tech and business, In music and the arts, in literacy, in sport and in charities and social policy.

The Big Issue’s Top 100 Changemakers 2019: Housing

To mark the centenary of the First World War armistice, the Big Issue produced a special edition, featuring organizations working with ex-services personnel. We were pleased to be included with a piece that focused on one of our former trainee – Bhakta Dhenga – a veteran of the Ghurka Rifles who now lives in one of our previously renovated empty properties.

After extensive research and preparation for our proposed Brockley new build project, uncertainty has recently arisen concerning its financial viability. This is frustrating for all of us, although it does not mean the project will never go ahead. In the meantime, however, we are scoping another smaller project in Brockley, which would involve extending one of our existing properties. We’ll bring more news on this in due course.

About a dozen people from Brighton visited PHASES’ projects in London on a ‘fact-finding’ mission to see our social enterprise in action. The group, ‘Brighton & Home’, are looking to start-up something similar. They were shown around our workshop in Rotherhithe and visited one of our renovated properties in Brockley, where they also met former trainee, Bhakta. Feedback from the group was that they were really inspired by the day and definitely now intend to press ahead with their plans on the south coast.

One of the GLA’s area managers, responsible for partnerships to support regeneration, homes and jobs, visited our completed empty homes projects in Brockley and saw the site of our proposed new build project there. He also met one of our former trainees. The visit was arranged through one of our major funders – The Big Issue Invest. The visit went very well and we understand it will help to cement the relationship between the GLA and Big Issue Invest for future investment opportunities. 

As preparations continue for the new build project at Brockley Road, Phases are excited to confirm that they have provisionally identified David Sheard Ltd as building contractor partner. David has a wealth of experience on new build, as well as high quality refurbishment work. Moreover, he is very interested in the social side of Phases’ operations and we look forward to developing a strong working relationship with David over the coming years.