Build Up Foundation Named Community Heroes Finalist

We're pleased to announce the Build Up Foundation as the second finalist of our 2026 Community Heroes initiative, recognising the charity’s dedication and positive impact on young people across London.

Standing out amongst the applications from last month, the charity was selected by a panel including celebrity judge and TV tradesperson, Rob Bent. The campaign was re-launched this year after research found that half of Brits (48%) say community spaces have disappeared in their neighbourhoods.

The Build Up Foundation will join seven more finalists selected between April and November to face a public vote in December to decide 2026’s Community Heroes winner, who will receive £15,000 in cash.

Set up in 2014, Build Up Foundation was established with a goal to create a training programme that pushes young people beyond their comfort zones and helps them develop fundamental life skills.

The organisation works to support children in London, aged 10-25, to improve the spaces that they live in. The charity works in neighbourhoods affected by poverty and deprivation, to identify community spaces in need of care and redesign.

Youth workers, builders and designers come together to physically build improvements into these spaces, transforming public spaces whilst also teaching young people hands-on practical skills, teamwork and confidence.

Thanks to the win, Build Up Foundation has already secured £2,000 to spend in its local store, Selco Canning Town on Cody Road. They will use the credit to purchase materials such as timber, fixings and tools which will help the organisation create visible, lasting change and ensure young people can continue to learn construction skills safely.

Huan Rimington, Build Up Director, said: “Being crowned as a Community Hero has come as amazing news and is going to make a big difference to the work Build Up do supporting young people aged 10-25 to improve the places they live.”

“We’ll use the Community Heroes prize money to pay for materials to build a new space for young people this summer. Thank you, Selco!”

Now in its sixth year – and with a bigger prize fund than ever before at £62,000 – the Selco Community Heroes initiative is designed to benefit small community projects that are building brighter futures for their local areas.

Simon Humpage, Head of Multichannel Marketing, said: “Build Up Foundation really stood out to us at Selco and is a great example of the kinds of organisations Community Heroes was created to support.”

“The way they improve public spaces, whilst also teaching the next generation valuable construction skills, is admirable and we’re proud to now be a part of the work they do.”

Local charities and community projects are encouraged to find out more about Community Heroes and apply online.