Video: Tour of city's new YMCA


08 December 2008 07:00

After years of planning and fund-raising the new Norwich Central YMCA is ready to go. The keys to the building will be officially handed over tonight and the centre will open on January 5. Evening News reporter DAVID BALE was given behind-the-scenes tour of the building by YMCA Norfolk chief executive John Drake.

It cost nearly £3m and took more then eight months to build, but a tour around Norwich's new YMCA building shows both the money and the effort were more than worth it.

The new building resembles a hotel as much as a hostel and does what YMCA Norfolk chief executive John Drake promised it would - bring the charity into the modern age.

The new Norwich Central YMCA, opposite the bus station, has arrived on schedule and at a cost of about £2.9m.

Each of the 34 en-suite single bed-sitting rooms is spacious, has its own toilet and shower with a lock on the door, and the corridors are fitted with cameras to enable residents to feel safe.

It will soon become home to young and vulnerable men and, for the first time, women, who are homeless or threatened with homelessness and have support needs in the city

Mr Drake said: “I have been waiting for better provision for young people since I came here 30 years ago.

New YMCA in All Saints Green, Norwich

“It's a fitting building for the YMCA and a flagship building, because of its quality.

“We have tried to build a community, a place where people can be safe, but which is also a learning experience. That's important, because it's more than just a bed.

“We must give the most vulnerable in our community all the chances they need to succeed, because we are all in it together.

“Gone are the days when people who were vulnerable got rubbish. They should get the best. This is somewhere where they can live with dignity.”

The centre will be open from the weekend of January 5 next year and will be a home for those aged between 16 and 25.

From that date onwards all young people in that age range that arrive at the YMCA's current home in St Giles Street will be referred to the new building, while older people will still be accommodated in St Giles Street.

Those referred will be assessed by experienced and skilled staff prior to an individual support plan being agreed and drafted.

As an assessment centre, the accommodation is temporary with an intended stay for service users of no more than six months, by which time it is hoped they will be better equipped with the skills needed to cope in the outside world.

As well as the 34 rooms, there are training rooms, communal sitting rooms, staff rooms, offices, launderette, restaurant and a training kitchen.

Norwich Central YMCA will provide life skills support and resettlement and will prepare residents for independent living, Mr Drake said.

The support also includes the identification and acquisition of more appropriate, longer-term sustainable accommodation for move-on.

The keys to the building will be received by YMCA Norfolk chairman of patrons, the Rt Revd Graham Smith, Bishop of Norwich, from the chairman of Flagship Housing Group, Rt Revd James Langstaff, the Bishop of Lynn, at a handover ceremony at the new centre, tonight .

Built by affordable housing specialist Lovell, and developed by Flagship Housing Group, the project received £1.8m in grant funding from the Housing Corporation. The rest of the money was raised by the YMCA.

Martin Aust, business growth director of Flagship Housing Group, said: “This has been such an important project to provide a much needed service for young people.

“I am delighted that the multi-agency working partnership, to facilitate its completion, has been so successful. We hope all future residents will benefit from this exciting new facility.”

Bishop Graham said that no organisation had kept in touch better with changing needs in changing times than YMCA Norfolk.

He added: “This new accommodation will give dignity and honour to those who could easily despair. Under John Drake's leadership, the YMCA has been a beacon of hope in this city. It's an exemplary Christian organisation. May it long flourish.”

Mr Drake added: “YMCA Norfolk is appreciative of all its development partners: Flagship Housing, the main contractor Lovells, Oxbury and Co, The Design partnership and the support received from Norfolk County Council, Supporting People, Norwich City Council, Broadland District Council, South Norfolk District Council and local businesses, trusts and individuals who have contributed in helping us meet the challenging financial costs.”

Simon Medler, Lovell regional director, added: “As a local company, we are pleased to have been associated with this important project.

“The new building hosts modern facilities which will create a safe and comfortable environment. The YMCA provides an essential service to young people in our community and we wish them continued success.”

The second phase of the project to replace the existing 90-bed hostel on St Giles Street has been delayed because the building has not yet been sold.

This phase will eventually provide 40 self-contained flats on a site at Music House Lane in Norwich but it cannot go-ahead until the St Giles Street building is sold.

To see a video tour of the inside the Norwich Central YMCA visit the Evening News website on www.eveningnews24.co.uk.

Have you been helped by the YMCA? Call Evening News reporter David Bale on 01603 772427 or email david.bale2@archant.co.uk.

Email A Friend

News: Latest headlines on Evening News 24