NetworkNorwich90010yr
The Norfolk and Norwich Christian community website

YMCA Norfolk to house extra two rough sleepers 

New emergency accommodation for an extra two young rough sleepers has been provided in Norwich by YMCA Norfolk.

YMCACentral480

The Christian charity has just completed the renovation of two brand new self-contained bedroom suites in John Drake House, YMCA Norfolk’s city centre supported housing accommodation for young people
 
The rooms are to provide a place to stay for young people who are in need of emergency accommodation and have been converted from two offices based in John Drake House. The rooms are fully equipped for each resident and feature a private en-suite ‘pod’ unit with full bathroom facilities.
 
The funding for the bedrooms was obtained from Norwich City Council in response to a need for more emergency accommodation that can provide a safe place for rough sleepers to stay.
 
The two new rooms expand the capacity of the Pathways Project, a city-wide initiative that operates throughout the city via a number of partner organisations including St Martins and City Reach Health Services.
 
Councillor Gail Harris, Norwich City Council cabinet member with responsibility for social housing, said: “The YMCA provides a lifeline for vulnerable young people in the city and we’re really pleased that our funding will allow them to expand this work through providing two new bedroom units at the hostel.  Partnership working such as this is key to all our housing and homelessness prevention work to ensure the right support is provided to the people who need it most.”
 
YMCA Norfolk leads on the provision of housing for the project. The two new bedrooms will enable YMCA Norfolk to continue to provide emergency accommodation to any young person who is rough sleeping until alternative housing is found, playing a key role in supporting young homeless people in finding their way to a more stable and secure life.
 
Darryl Smith, Operations Director for YMCA Norfolk said: “We are delighted to have worked with the City Council to create two additional bedspaces to meet the needs of young people who find themselves rough sleeping. Access to the beds is through the Pathways team who provide the support to the young people till we find an alternative accommodation provision for them.”
 
One of the first users of the new rooms expressed their gratitude, commenting: “I was rough sleeping and cold and thanks to these new rooms I no longer have to. The shower is amazing, and I thank the Pathways Team and YMCA staff for helping me get back on my feet.”
 


6652 views
To submit a story or to publicise an event please email: web@networknorwich.co.uk