North Staffordshire’s new YMCA facility reached its first milestone last week as the community came together for lunch and to see progress made on foundations for the 46 new transitional living apartments.
We attended the lunch and presentation of the new site with representatives from North Staffordshire YMCA, architect Richard Evans from Ellis Hillman Partnership and the local community last week.
We were awarded the contract from YMCA North Staffordshire and work started on site this summer. The new flats sit alongside the current YMCA facility on Harding Road in Hanley which operates as a ‘youth campus’ offering young people a high standard of accommodation in a safe and supportive environment.
Known as ‘Grace Crescent’, the new development will provide ‘transitional housing’ for young people in Stoke-on-Trent, as they look to start a career and move to private accommodation. The apartments will be contained within a four-storey traditional masonry building, with private access. They will each have one bedroom, with a separate bathroom and an open kitchen and living space. All but two of the apartments will have a south facing aspect.
Andy Richards, Contracts Manager at Morris Property, said: “This scheme really puts our team’s range of skills and expertise into action to deliver much-needed accommodation that will make a real difference. The lunch gave us the opportunity to meet the local community who will benefit from the build and share updates from the site face to face.”
Sharon Richards from the YMCA added: “We are excited to get the programme back on track following a few set-backs during Covid and would like to thank Morris Property for their professional, dedicated approach which allows us to achieve our vision.
“The challenge for young people of living independently, having moved through various types of supported accommodation is significant. A lack of affordable options, coupled with lack of tenancy history, or inability to provide a deposit or rent in advance prove to be impossible barriers for many. Through our Partnership with Homes England, Morris Property, Ellis Hillman and Poole Dick we are able to deliver a scheme that will help young people establish a home and achieve sustainable living in the community. Young People will have the support, structure and a safe home to be able to gain employment and to grow, contribute and thrive within their community.”
Richard Evans, Director at Ellis Hillman Partnership said: “After several unforeseen setbacks, we are delighted to see this project back up and running and to continue working with the YMCA and their partners to deliver the next phase of their campus development”
“Ellis Hillman have been operating in Stoke on Trent for over 40 years and for almost all that time we have worked alongside YMCA North Staffordshire, having first helped to deliver Edinburgh House, the tall brick tower at the centre of the campus, in the early 90’s. The relationship is as strong today and it was back then.”
