As the cost of living crisis bites for many, the importance of supporting the less fortunate has never been greater. Working in central London over the years, we’ve recognised the importance of understanding who our neighbours are — and tried to come up with creative ways in which we can help them. Deconstruct’s innovative Wall of Kindness initiative is a great example of how we strive to give something back to the local communities in which we work.
Our initial soft launch of this concept at a construction project on Tottenham Court Road received great support from people walking past our site every day on their way to work or to school. Some left coats for others to use; others enthusiastically accepted these small acts of kindness.
Quickly recognising the success of this test site, we rolled the concept out across other locations — Deconstruct now have a Wall of Kindness at nine of our sites across central London. Developing the idea further during the summer months, the DE Group SHEQ team used the Walls of Kindness to set up sunscreen stations and provide sun hats. And ahead of the new school term in September, we set up a book and school shoes sharing scheme.
Alongside recognition from the wider construction community, the feedback from those who have used the Wall of Kindness has been truly humbling and has ranged from handwritten notes of thanks to heart-warming pictures drawn by children.