Stars from EastEnders are set to team up with Nick Knowles and the DIY SOS crew in Harlow, Essex, to assist in the transformation of a community project aimed at fostering unity and enhancing mental well-being.
The Albert Square cast members will don hard hats and join a dedicated group of volunteers in constructing a new facility for Butterfly Effect Well-Being. This expansion will enable the project to extend its services to a larger number of individuals in need, addressing concerns such as social isolation and self-harm.
Currently, Butterfly Effect Well-Being operates out of a portacabin and is in dire need of the expertise provided by the DIY SOS team. The community interest company hosts various groups, including a men’s meetup, a singing ensemble, ‘Chill and Chat’ sessions for teenagers, as well as cooking and crafts workshops, and holistic therapy classes.
Founder Angela Hannibal established the project after her mother’s tragic loss to suicide. Angela’s mother had grappled with mental health challenges for years, and after her passing, Angela made the decision to leave her career as a pharmacist in order to assist individuals facing similar struggles.
While the local council has generously allocated an empty building to the project, it is currently in a state of disrepair and necessitates substantial internal and external renovations to render it suitable for its intended purpose.
Nick and the DIY SOS team are now making an appeal for local volunteers to join forces with the EastEnders stars, working together to convert the building into a welcoming and nurturing centre. Here, anyone in the community can seek assistance, support, and companionship during their times of greatest need.
Nick Knowles says: “This is a special project that does so much to help the community in Harlow and I can’t wait to get stuck in with our EastEnders friends and see this amazing build come together. As always, we wouldn’t be able to deliver such important projects without the generosity of our brilliant volunteers, so if you have a trade or can help us with materials then get in touch!”
Catherine Catton, BBC Head of Commissioning, Factual Entertainment & Events, says: “This is a fantastic collaboration between EastEnders and DIY SOS which will transform a truly deserving project. We are so looking forward to seeing the build come together for Butterfly Effect Well-Being and helping Angela and her team provide support to even more people.”
DIY SOS relies on the benevolence of trade volunteers and corporate contributions. As such, they are reaching out to skilled professionals including electricians, plumbers, carpenters, plasterers, and decorators to offer their expertise during the transformation in October.
A Trades Day is scheduled to take place in Harlow on Tuesday 3 October 2023.
Those interested in contributing their skills as a professional tradesperson or providing materials for this charitable endeavour must reach out to diysosharlow@bbc.co.uk prior to Trades Day to arrange a meeting with the team.
The construction work is slated to occur from Wednesday 25 to Tuesday 31 October 2023.
The participation of EastEnders stars in this episode will be announced closer to the broadcast date in 2023.
