Category: Centrus Communities

Centrus Team Volunteering with Down to Earth

In June, 17 colleagues took part in Centrus volunteering with Down to Earth Project at the Little Bryn Gwyn site on the Gower Peninsula. The experience brought together nature, sustainability, and teamwork in a truly inspiring setting.

Hands-On Learning and Teamwork

Guided by Mark McKenna, Lisa Thomas, Penny Gregory, Rebecca Richards, Sebastian Haley and the rest of the Down to Earth team, we rolled up our sleeves and got hands-on with a wide range of activities.

Firstly, we learned about reciprocal timber structures. In addition, the team took on the physical challenge of building cleft fencing- despite some very persistent midges! These sessions not only taught us new skills but also encouraged collaboration and problem-solving.

Fun Beyond the Work

Alongside the practical work, there was time for fun. We cooled off with swims in the sea, fed pigs, and even tried tree climbing. One highlight was visiting six semi-detached, two-bedroom houses that Down to Earth built for Coastal Housing Group. These homes were constructed from Welsh timber and insulated using only natural materials – an inspiring example of sustainable building in action.

A Lasting Impact

Throughout the trip, we were warmly welcomed, well-fed, and supported at every stage. As a result, we gained a deeper understanding of Down to Earth’s mission and the powerful impact of their work in communities across Wales.

The two days were a fantastic mix of learning, laughter, and shared purpose. More importantly, they reminded us how volunteering strengthens teamwork while supporting meaningful causes.

At Centrus, we’re proud to play a small part in this journey. A huge thank you to everyone at Down to Earth for their energy, expertise, and hospitality.

👉 Learn more about Down to Earth’s inspiring work and how they’re changing lives through nature, sustainability, and wellbeing.

Centrus Communities is proud to have sponsored the Tour de Lunsar 2025, Sierra Leone’s largest cycling race, promoting an exciting future for professional cycling in West Africa.

Founded by Abdul Karim Kamara in 2013 from his bicycle repair workshop in the mining town of Lunsar, the Lunsar Cycling Team has grown into a vibrant community and a launchpad for young talent. What started as a local initiative has become a symbol of ambition and opportunity.

This year’s Tour continued to build on that legacy, drawing cyclists from across the continent and beyond. The 2025 edition featured men’s, women’s, and junior races, with the men’s event unfolding over multiple stages from Freetown to Lunsar, and the women’s and junior races finishing on a lively circuit in the town centre.

Among the standout performances were those of Ibrahim Jalloh, Joel Kyaviro, Andrew Jackson, and Mary Aleper, who all delivered thrilling racing and demonstrated the growing calibre of cycling talent in the region. To see the highlights of the 2025 Race Day click here.

Now in our third year of sponsorship, Centrus is proud to support the incredible Lunsar team and their mission to grow youth confidence, aspiration, and achievement through cycling in Sierra Leone.

For the second year in a row we were able to rehash the five D’s of dodgeball… dodge, dive, dip, duck and dodge.  Massive thank you to InfraRed Capital Partners Ltd for inviting us back to their annual charity dodgeball event!

The event earned an astonishing £50,000+ for the InfraRed Foundation, which assists schools in hiring community involvement officers both within and outside of their portfolios.

Well done to all competing teams and thank you to InfraRed for a wonderful evening.

For the second year in a row, our team had the privilege of volunteering at Blackfriars Settlement, where we spent the day preparing and serving lunch to the wonderful members of their Positive Ageing Group.

Located in North Southwark, Blackfriars Settlement has been a vital part of the community since 1887, dedicated to supporting those who need it most. Established by volunteers, the centre continues its mission to enhance the well-being of vulnerable individuals in the area.

We are grateful to the Blackfriars Settlement community for another incredible experience! To learn more about how you can get involved, click here.

Centrus was delighted to join Housing Solutions at their annual GTKY (“Getting to Know You”) event on June 19th 2024, connecting with residents to gather feedback on their experiences and needs.

Housing Solutions provides approximately 7,500 quality, affordable homes across Berkshire. The Centrus housing team enjoyed speaking with residents across the Maidenhead area, witnessing the positive impact that Housing Solutions has in the local community.

A big thank you to everyone involved!

Centrus Communities is proud to have supported the St Paul’s Panthers football tournament 2024 on Saturday 22nd June 2024.

The tournament hosted over 750 children from 5-13yrs old with the mission of inclusion for boys and girls of any standard from local primary schools and local football clubs, giving them the chance to play in the Meadowbank stadium – home of the Surrey FA and Dorking Wanderers FC.

Centrus’ Chief Sustainability Officer, George Roffey played a key role in organising the tournament along with other committee members Stuart Dodds (Chair), Grant Spooner, Ben Green, Gareth Key and Amy MacKinnon. A massive thanks to everyone involved!

Battersea Half Marathon for SHP

Join us in cheering on our Centrus colleagues Rachael Hickey and Gleb Pilipenko as they take on the Battersea Park Half Marathon on the 11th May 2024. They’re running to support Single Homeless Project, a cause we deeply care about.

Single Homeless Project works tirelessly across all 32 London boroughs, helping individuals tackle the root causes of homelessness. From providing critical support to those facing eviction to assisting with mental health challenges and substance dependency, their work is truly impactful.
Centrus is a proud long-standing supporter of this incredible charity.

Every donation, no matter how small, will make a real difference. Please consider supporting Rachael and Gleb in their efforts – Centrus Communities will match donations.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE

Centrus was thrilled to support Gentoo Group in their Easter campaign, bringing food hampers to over 80 families in need throughout Sunderland this Easter weekend.

The appeal is a collective effort between Gentoo and contractors including Centrus, 0800 Repairs, Adderstone Group, BES Group, Bell Group, Equans, Isoler, Jewsons Partnership Solutions, JTC Furniture Group, Kensa Engineering, Northern Electrical Fire Security, RE:GEN, RNJ Partnerships and Suez.

Together, we collected hundreds of food items to create more than 80 Easter hampers. The hampers were filled with food essentials including cereal, pasta and rice as well as essential toiletries and some chocolate Easter treats. The hampers were delivered to Gentoo customers across Sunderland in time for the Easter weekend by their Neighbourhood Co-ordinators.

“We are delighted with the outcome of this year’s Easter campaign, which has delivered essentials and food hampers to more than 80 families in need across the city.

Three years on, the cost of living crisis is still having a huge impact on residents in the city. I’d like to thank my colleagues at Gentoo and our contractors for their generosity and hope an Easter gift has been a small support to our customers who need it this weekend.”

Chris Roberts, Director of Customer – Gentoo Group

Pathways to Board graduation ceremony 2023

Centrus’ Executive Director, Paul Stevens, had the pleasure of presenting the latest Pathways to Board graduates with their certificates alongside Julie James, the Welsh Minister for Climate Change, at the recent Community Housing Cymru Conference. 

Pathway to Board works to address the lack of ethnic diversity on boards in and outside of the housing sector. The programme helps individuals be ‘board ready’, ultimately giving them the opportunity to influence decision making in the housing community.

Centrus is pleased to have supported the programme as a volunteer partner, providing treasury management training to students throughout the year. 

Congratulations to all the Pathway to Board graduates on a fantastic achievement. To find out more about the initiative, click here.