DIY SOS: The Big Build: Butterfly Effect Well-Being Charity

Butterfly Effect Well-Being is an Essex based charity set up by former Pharmacy Technician Angela Hannibal, after losing her mum to suicide; she runs the group with fellow director Dawn who also lost her brother to suicide. The Charity’s aim is to offer a safe space for those with mental ill health who find it hard to interact with people.

The charity had been operating out of a portacabin, until they were given a building by the local council, but it was in a state of disrepair and needed extensive internal and external works to make it fit for purpose. They needed help.

This is where DIY SOS: The Big Build stepped in, with the help of local trades and local merchants, including ourselves we helped turn this almost derelict building into a warm and friendly safe space, where the locals can go for support and human company when they most need it.

Although the programme was broadcast on the 18th of December 2023; the work and planning started long before that. On the 3rd of October, Roan Smith, Technical Specification Manager at Next Generation Rooflights contacted DIY SOS: Big Build and promised to supply and fit 2 fixed rooflights 1 x 2200mm x 1200mm and 1 x 1200mm x 1200mm along with fully insulated upstands for this project. The build itself took place between the 25th and 31st of October.

We had the privilege of being a part of this fantastic transformation which saw a derelict building in Latton Bush become a space offering support to people experiencing social isolation, loneliness, and mental health struggles.

As with all the DIY SOS: The Big Build’s although there were some “will they… won’t they moments…” (it’s all in the editing), but we are proud the project was an overwhelming success.

Although we and every local trades and local merchants involved got a big thank you from the DIY SOS: The Big Build team. To see just how much this project would benefit the local community made the Next Generation Rooflights team are extremely proud to have been involved.it was real pleasure to know we had provided fixed rooflights with fully insulated upstands for this project that will be in place at this special community centre that will support its residents for many years to come.

If you missed the episode, you can catch it on BBC iPlayer.