Chief executive of CRASH Francesca Roberts explains how the support of patron firms is the foundation for projects that transform people's livesFRANCESCA ROBERTS INTERVIEW45CONSTRUCTING A FUTUREwww.crash.org.ukwww.industries can make an enormous difference to the lives of those who have no roof over their head.And for Francesca, these industries are the glue holding everything together, something she says she is eternally grateful for considering the economic climate: "Our patrons should be so proud of what they have done. The construction industry provides expertise and materials and the property sector finds sites and supports us financially and, through a rough market, this is tremendous."CRASH has 30 patrons from contractor giants through to small specialists. To become a patron you have to donate a minimum of £7,800 a year and agree to at least a three year commitment. Francesca explains this is so she can ensure the money is well spent through forward planning. "If ou know when you are talking to someone who is towing a company line. That robotic drone, the result of a strictly controlled corporate facade, is easy to spot a mile off. By contrast, you also know when you are talking to someone who passionately believes in every word they say and everything they stand for. And there can be no doubt that Francesca Roberts, chief executive of CRASH, falls into the latter category.Listening to her talk about CRASH's work, patrons and future is a master class in getting people on side - it's almost impossible not to get caught up in the excitement. She knows just how to make her case as she describes upcoming projects and explains how the construction and property PROVIDING FOOD AT REFUGES MAKES A HUGEDIFFERENCE TO THE LIVES OF HOMELESS PEOPLEST GEORGE'S CRYPT FOCUSES ON HELPINGHOMELESS PEOPLE UNDER THE AGE OF 25 St George's Crypt is a day and night-time refuge that supports up to 120 homeless people per day in the care centre, and 15 per night in the overnight centre. Based in Leeds, the centre underwent a £1.3m redevelopment, completed in January 2010 and supported by CRASH. Situated on the ground floor of St George's Church building this centre focuses on homeless people under the age of 25. CRASH pledged a cash grant of £70,000 to go towards the redevelopment as well as sourcing building materials free of charge or at a discounted rate from patrons and supporting suppliers within the construction industry.This is just one example of some of the life changing projects CRASH is supporting. For a full list visit www.crash.org.uk/projects. ST GEORGE'S CRYPT, LEEDS

45FRANCESCA ROBERTS INTERVIEWukwww.crash.org.ukCONSTRUCTING A FUTUREredevelopment of a building," says Francesca. "And why should they? How many of us could run an emergency night shelter? They tell us that advice they get from CRASH is invaluable. They also get great outcomes as you can see from projects such as Step by Step, Berwick Street and St George's Crypt. Well designed and expertly built environments have a positive effect on how we feel and it's no different for people who are homeless."What we do at CRASH is clear, which is one of the reasons it works so well. We successfully bring the commercial and charitable sectors together. And the results have been phenomenal. My ambition is to do much more and for that I need more patrons. You don't have to be a huge firm. We have a patron who donates every month to spread the payments. You can make it work whatever size firm you are. And make such a colossal difference."To find out more about becoming a patron or to learn about CRASH visit www.crash.org.ukwe know how many patrons we have as a minimum then we know what we can commit to."Last year 87.9% of CRASH's expenditure was on its charitable activities - with just a tiny team of four it keeps costs to a minimum. CRASH received 54 applications for help and gave over £184,000 in grants, and the value of professional expertise and materials donated by patrons was £189,201. All patrons have the opportunity to involve their employees with CRASH and its work, and it's this involvement that is a key part of the help that CRASH can deliver. "The charities are brilliant at working on the front line but that doesn't mean they have the first idea of what is involved in a major REFUGES SUCH AS ST GEORGE'S CRYPT PUT AROOF OVER PEOPLE'S HEADS FOR THE NIGHT ST GEORGE'S CRYPT SUPPORTS UP TO 120HOMELESS PEOPLE PER DAY IN ITS CARE CENTRE0CRASH receives zero government funding 1CRASH is the only UK construction and property homelessness charity4CRASH has four staff - all the other manpower comes from patron firms9Patron companies provided professional expertise 15CRASH supporting companies provided free materials 60homelessness projects were helped across the UK26,000,000CRASH worked on homelessness projects worth a combined £26m CRASH IN NUMBERS LAST YEARThe homelessness charities tell us that advice they get from CRASH is invaluable, and they get great outcomes