‘Key’ skills unlock the door to jobs as residents at innovative homelessness charity, Tyneside Cyrenians, sign up for unique re-training and jobs scheme
Tuesday 30 May 2006 - In what is believed to be a national ‘first’ Tyneside Cyrenians, one of the North East’s leading and most progressive homelessness charities, is giving exciting, practical work experience and the possibility of full time employment to its service user residents.
A group of homeless men has been selected to take part in this unique and carefully planned training scheme. The project involves construction of a building which will provide bedroom accommodation and new office space in the grounds of the Cyrenians head office at Bentinck Road, Newcastle upon Tyne.
Stephen Bell, Chief Executive of Tyneside Cyrenians explained:
‘Our aim, through this project, is to give our service users real work experience and a life changing opportunity. The skills they develop here really will be the key to a new life and will help them ‘get back on track.’ We hope the experience will give them a sense of pride, raised self esteem and a realistic chance of further employment.
‘A great spin-off is the high-visibility of this project. The mood is upbeat – everyone in the organisation is taking an interest and encouraging the guys involved. We all want them to succeed and stick the distance; they’ve got all the support they need to help them to achieve that.’
The involvement of the group from the Cyrenians has been made possible due to the style of building planned. A timber framed, ecologically and environmentally friendly building, the construction method is inspired by the renowned ‘Walter Segal Self Build’ method. The building design, by leading regional architects Jane Darbyshire David Kendall Limited (JDDK), follows these self-build principles and is also based on historical records of the derelict walled garden within which the building work is taking place.
All of the men involved in the scheme have undergone a foundation course in Health & Safety and are studying the core units of NVQ in Construction. This, importantly, makes them eligible for their Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card; the construction sector ‘passport’ for site workers. The training is being delivered by tutors from Newcastle College and staff from Lumsden & Carroll Construction, part of the Esh Group, managers of the construction project.
Andy Pritchard, Contracts Manager with Lumsden & Carroll explained;
‘All methods of construction used in the building are ‘dry’; there’s no need for ‘wet trades’ such as bricklaying and plastering. The result is a lightweight, adaptable, ecologically sound building. The ‘Walter Segal’ style makes building a possibility for anyone with little previous building experience, therefore, requiring a minimum of professional supervision’.
Alison Thornton-Sykes, Principal Designer with JDDK, continued;
‘We’ve worked with the Cyrenians for many years. The latest scheme will provide single room accommodation for residents in the two single storey lean-to buildings either side of the existing wall within the grounds. The building on the north side will provide office accommodation, thus freeing rooms within the main house, whilst that on the south side will be for six single bedrooms and two communal bathrooms.’
The scheme uniquely harnesses contributions from a wide range of partners and organisations and is principally funded by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) through Newcastle City Council and Tyne & Wear Partnership through the Community Foundation, supplementary support has been provided by the Department for Work & Pensions’ Employers’ Subsidy Scheme and Newcastle City Council’s Building Initiative. Stephen Bell explained further;
‘We’re extremely grateful to our partners in the project for the exceptional contributions they are making; from the belief and faith of all of our funders; especially those at ODPM and Newcastle City Council to the flexibility and empathy of construction partners, Lumsden & Carroll Construction. Their site manager, Peter Darkings, and our supervisor, George Evans, are providing wonderful support to the team of men; really helping them every step of the way.’
The scheme is due to be completed in October and will be officially opened by Rt Hon David Miliband.
