SIG Roofing helps ‘Homes for the Homeless’ project

Homeless people in a Cambridge suburb are being provided with a roof over their heads, with a little help from SIG Roofing.

A total of six modular homes are being built off-site by social enterprise New Meaning as part of a ‘Home First’ project, to be installed at Christ the Redeemer Church in Barnwell. They will be offered for rent to people who are homeless or have been homeless.

SIG Roofing’s branch in St Ives, Cambridge, is supporting the project by providing roofing materials at a favourable discount. Branch manager Karen Lilley also recommended a local roofer to advise the not-for-profit organisation on its installation.

Karen said: “Being homeless is stressful at any time but particularly in the chilly temperatures of winter. When New Meaning asked if we could help, we had no hesitation in saying ‘yes’.

“We recommended FIX-R EPDM for the flat roofs of the modular buildings as it is a sustainable and long lasting roofing solution that brings watertight performance, durability and dependability ensuring the roofs will be protected whatever the weather and, with training, they could do the installation themselves.

“As with similar projects elsewhere, part of the organisation’s ethos is to develop vocational skills of the homeless. So, I was happy to recommend a local roofer who has been helping train the organisation’s workers, who in turn have trained young former-homeless adults from the YMCA.”

John Evans, Trustee Director of New Meaning, said: “We are hugely grateful to Karen and SIG Roofing for the excellent discount and for her tremendous customer service.  Her advice has been invaluable to us.”

The ‘Home First’ project is a joint initiative involving New Meaning, Holy Cross parish, which is home to the Christ the Redeemer church, Allia Future Business Centre and Jimmy’s night shelter.

The buildings will be ready for occupation from February.

Registered Office: SIG Trading Limited, Adsetts House, 16 Europa View, Sheffield Business Park, Sheffield, S9 1XH. Registered in England No. 01451007 VAT No. GB 487 01733