Great Britain: Southwark

Sharing the rewards

Melanie Purvis is an architect who volunteered on the Southwark site in London to gain practical experience while she was studying.

"I had heard about Habitat for Humanity through a colleague. It sounded like a really good opportunity to gain some hands on experience in a way that was going to help other people.

"The build is very timely in a climate where housing is and will continue to be a big issue. It seems very appropriate for what is going on in London where there really is a lack of decent housing.

"On a personal level I found it very rewarding. When I got there the foundations had just been poured. I suppose I helped with just about everything, really – laying the beamer block floors, assembling the timber partition for the walls, and putting the roof trusses and tiles up.

"What impressed me the most was the tremendous willingness to share knowledge. I am an architect and was just finishing my training when I was on site. We had a plumber, an electrician, and young graduate engineer, and it was very rewarding to share with people from other industries.

"It was fantastic – really, really good."

Find out more about Habitat for Humanity's work in Great Britain

Read about the houses we build in Great Britain