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The Darnley...

New Accommodation and Training Centre

Scheme details

The Darnley Hotel
103-107 York Road
Southend-on-Sea
Essex SS1 2DL

HARP’s Accommodation and Training Centre is an exciting new venture coming to an area of great need. It will provide a unique service aimed at breaking the cycle of homelessness in the area by offering advice, support, accommodation and training to enable people to rebuild their lives in the community. It is hoped that as a result of the Centre’s community activities anti-social behaviour will reduce in the area and by tidying up the street it will become a much improved and pleasant neighbourhood to live in.

This Centre of excellence will house 18 single homeless people in en-suite rooms within a self contained hostel unit and a separate Day Centre with medical facilities and training rooms to give people the best possible chance of getting back on their feet.

In round terms the scheme will cost £1.8 million. HARP has managed to secure funding £1.3 million, but currently has a shortfall of £500,000.

The Darnley Hotel Redevelopment Plans ( see details in Appendix 1)

  • 18 single emergency beds within a self-contained hostel

  • Separate Day Centre facilities open to residents and the local community

  • 2 Training rooms and a training kitchen

  • On site medical facilities, and access to other agencies.

  • 378 square metres of outdoor space

Why this particular site brings added value

  • Turning an unsightly and dilapidated building, left empty for many years into an attractive and well maintained building

  • Providing a thriving community centre available to the most vulnerable in the area.

  • Creating 18 additional emergency beds to reduce the number of people rough sleeping in the area

  • Creating opportunities for vulnerable people to become housed and economically stable.

  • The Centre will provide facilities for local groups and agencies to meet.

  • Ideally located close to the centre of town, and is easily accessible to other support agencies such as CAB, SAVS, Benefit Offices, and Job Centre.

  • Large patio and communal garden to be used for recreation and meaningful activity , including an allotment programme.


Project Status

See Appendix 1 for proposed plans

HARP has been granted planning permission for a change of use from a hotel to an Accommodation and Training Centre. Planning reference:11/00750/ful.

Drawings for building regulations are being prepared, and after due process for tendering the project we aim to be on-site at the end of the Summer and to be open in Spring 2013.

As part of the requirements of the funding from the Homelessness Change Programme, HARP has applied to become a Registered Provider of Social Housing.

HARP has a Capital Fundraising strategy in place to meet the current shortfall in funding.

Total scheme costs and level and source of funding

Project cost analysis Darnley

£

Total Purchase Costs including taxes and related fees

660,000

 

Refurbishment including taxes and related fees

1,140,000

  

Total Project cost inclusive of VAT

1,800,000

 
   
 

£

Project Funding required

1,800,000  
     

Source of funds

   

External grants and donations received

350,000  

Homelessness Change Programme awarded

650,000  

Pledges

300,000  

Total sourced to date

1,300,000  
     

FUNDS TO BE RAISED

£500,000  


Intended client group

The homeless people of Southend

Proposed services and expected outcomes

Services

The Centre would plug the existing gap in services by accommodating Night Shelter and Day Centre facilities under one roof to provide a seamless service

1. Direct Access 18 bed Hostel comprising good quality, safe and secure accommodation for homeless people.

2. A separate Day Centre on the ground floor offering emergency services, hot food, medical facilities, advice and support and meaningful activity.

3. Referrals to HARP accommodation and specialist services and other agencies’ accommodation, health, support and training services.

Outcomes

  • People rough sleeping reduce in number

  • People leave as part of a Planned Departure

  • People are housed in temporary and permanent accommodation

  • People gain confidence and skills

  • People sustain a tenancy

On site Specialist support teams as detailed below:-

Resettlement Team objectives:

  • Homeless people assisted with accommodation and support

Learning for Life Team objectives

  • Street outreach – bring in from the cold

    •

  • High Support Programme for rough sleepers

Training & Support Team

  • Provide meaningful activities enabling people to move towards positive healthier lifestyles

Services:

  • Access to a Personal Advisor

    •

  • Signposting to support services and advice

  • Direct access to emergency accommodation

  • Assistance with finding permanent accommodation

  • On-site Medical Services - inc. GP, Nurse, Chiropody, Community Dentistry

  • Health & Wellbeing - Access to primary mental health

    •

  • Rough sleeper service

  • Daily Hot Meals provided (Mon-Fri)

  • Laundry and shower facilities

  • Emergency food parcels and night packs

  • Training courses on a range of holistic topics, inc. Anger Management, Anxiety, relaxation, exercise and acupuncture.

  • Training courses to increase opportunities for employment, including Access to Basic Skills, Return to Study courses and Accredited training

  • Activities to increase opportunities for employment eg volunteering and work experience

  • Activities in social and sporting events, arts and horticulture

Partnership working

Local Statutory, NHS and Specialist Agencies will be encouraged to use our Training Resources for the benefit of the local community:

  • Medical and Mental Health Services

  • Southend Borough Council Housing

  • Local Housing Support agencies

  • Local Landlords

  • Crime Reduction Agencies

  • Southend Association of Volunteers

  • Local Training Colleges and Agencies

  • Job Centre and Employment Agencies

  • Local Sports Facilities

  • Community Groups

Links with education, training and employment providers

SAVS – (Southend Association for Voluntary Service)

Clients can access a wide range of volunteering opportunities in the area. SAVS and HARP Volunteer Coordinators co-run a rolling on-site workshop programme.

Volunteers

This is a tried and tested route to bring individuals back into the workplace and increase both skills and self-confidence. HARP has a good track record in developing people in this way and this has led to employment, some within our own organisation.

Southend Borough Council has nominated HARP for the prestigious Queens Award for their work with volunteers. Several HARP volunteers have won the annual Southend Association of Volunteers annual award.

South Essex College

  • NVQ Level 2 Employability Course (delivered on site).

    •

  • Access to return to study and higher education courses and apprenticeships.

Southend Adult and Community College

  • Full range of part time and full courses available on site.

The Lightbulb Ltd

Providing a range of one-day accredited training (e.g. First Aid, Manual Handling, Food Hygiene) to provide participants with a portfolio of training to aid job applications and subsequent employment.

Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) courses

Work Solutions

In discussion with Work Solutions a North East based employment service looking to work in Southend to support agencies involved with Criminal Justice System and substance misuse.

How the scheme links to or embeds with the local community

Part of the new Centre’s role will be to work with local residents to ensure that the neighborhood becomes a safe and pleasant place to live by keeping the environment clear of rubbish and encouraging people off the street and into the Centre where there will be opportunities for local residents to improve their physical and financial wellbeing and move towards more positive lifestyles.

There are limited community services supporting vulnerable people living in the area. Hence there is a higher than average level of anti-social behaviour and disturbance with people generally loitering in the area, causing increasing concern among local residents.

HARP’s Accommodation and Training Centre is an exciting new venture coming to an area of great need. It will provide a unique service aimed at breaking the cycle of homelessness in the area by offering advice, support, accommodation and training to enable people to rebuild their lives in the community. It is hoped that as a result of the Centre’s community activities anti-social behaviour will reduce in the area and by tidying up the street it will become a much improved and pleasant neighbourhood to live in.

Appendix 1

PROPOSED DRAWINGS- Ground Floor


Click on plan to enlarge

PROPOSED DRAWINGS- First Floor


Click on plan to enlarge

 
CONTACT
DAY SERVICE :   59 Valkyrie Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, SS0 8AW  Telephone: 01702 430696
NIGHT SERVICE :   58 York Road, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS1 2BY  Telephone: 01702 602913
SUPPORTED     Ceylon Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, SS0 7HP  Telephone: 01702 344516
ACCOMMODATION :   Genesta Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex  SS0 8DA  Telephone: 01702 351541
ACORN :   117 York Road, Southend-on-Sea, Essex  SS1 2DL  Telephone: 01702 619089
HEAD OFFICE :   117 York Road, Southend-on-Sea, Essex  SS1 2DL  Telephone: 01702 615000
CHARITY SHOP :   420 London Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex  SS0 9LA  Telephone: 01702 330261
E-MAIL :    info@harpsouthend.org.uk