Places of Change

In April 2008 the Department for Community & Local government awarded £6.8m to improve the quality of accomodation across 6 projects in the East of England. This page will keep you up to date with the progress and the new vision behind these projects over the next three years.

Breaking new ground

Fourteen months since the Places for Change programme was launched three of the six projects funded in the East of England are preparing to break ground this summer.

Open Door Nighshelter in St Albans is due to move to it’s decant property on the 24th June and start work on site soon after. The renovation will offer twelve ensuite rooms, a proper staff sleeping area and an education/training facility for life skills sessions and visiting surgeries. Click here for details of the decant arrangements.

The Ferry Project in Wisbech has taken possession of its new site and, awaiting its planning permission, is scheduled to start on site in August. The renovation will offer 24 beds, training rooms, an 80 seater venue for community hire, café, book shop and GP surgery. To find out more about the Ferry Project follow a blog written by service users involved in the planning.

Wintercomfort for the Homeless in Cambridge has training its residents to start a willow weaving social enterprise and is hoping to start its renovation work from July onward.

Bright Sparks

In late March Wintercomfort was announced as one of the 15 organisations to guarantee SPARK funding over the next twelve months.

SPARK is a pioneering development and investment programme that aims to inspire organisations to build social enterprises that will prevent and tackle homelessness using sustainable business models. It enabled by a number of successful social enterprises(inc. the Big Issue), CLG and national/international businesses inc. BT and Price Waterhouse Coopers.

Since the announcement Wintercomfort have been receiving practical support in refining their business plan before a “Dragons Dens” style pitch. On the 10th June they successfully received £100,000 toward the start up of Winterwillow, a company designing, producing marketing and retailing willow craft products including garden sculpture and eco-coffins.

Click here for details on tWintercomforts SPARK success.

CLG announces record £6.8 million investment in homeless hostels/day centres across the East of England

The Department for Communities & Local Government(CLG) has announced the names of six local authority/voluntary sector partnerships to receive funding under its Places for Change programme. Successful projects will receive funding for the capital development of their services in ways which improve the quality of life and opportunities available to staff and service users. Click here for details on the successful projects near you.