New project in Birmingham opens - LandAid – The property industry charity

Oct

2010

New project in Birmingham opens

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Property industry helps young people lay Foundations for Life in Birmingham.

A specialist learning centre for homeless and at risk young people in Birmingham was officially opened today by Ian Coull, Chief Executive of property company SEGRO, Europe’s leading provider of flexible business space.

The supported accommodation facility on Gillott Road run by youth homelessness charity St Basils has been extended to create the ‘Foundations for Life’ learning centre. Funded through a partnership with SEGRO and LandAid, the property industry charity, this new facility offers young people in St Basils projects access to the facilities, opportunities and support they need to achieve their potential and thrive within the community.

Previously, the accommodation facility had no communal learning space or room for private counselling, and staff found it difficult to deliver the second-chance education and training that is proven to prevent repeat homelessness.

SEGRO and LandAid worked with St Basils to develop a single-storey extension with a specialist learning room that will benefit the young people at Gillott Road and those from the surrounding area. Young people using the Foundations for Life ‘hub’ will be able to study for nationally accredited qualifications and develop essential lifeskills to move them into independence and achieve their ambitions.

Jean Templeton, Chief Executive of St Basils commented: “ Having access to study and learning facilities is critical in enabling young people to develop the skills and confidence they require to prepare for a challenging employment market. SEGRO through LandAid have donated their skills, time and resources to provide us with this fantastic Foundations for Life Centre. We are enormously grateful to them and are delighted that they are keen to follow the learning and success of the young people who will benefit from the facilities the Centre offers. Collectively we are committed to ensuring that homelessness is not going to prevent young people from achieving their ambitions.”

Ian Coull, added: “We have been incredibly impressed with the work St Basils does in giving disadvantaged young people a place that they can feel at home, and we were pleased to be able to contribute the professional skills of SEGRO employees to enhance these facilities. The importance of helping people to access the skills and education they need cannot be underestimated, and I truly hope that the Foundations for Life learning centre will enable young people to develop and thrive for many years to come.”

Jon Siddall, Chief Executive, LandAid said: "“We are extremely happy that LandAid in partnership with major donor SEGRO has been able to deliver a vital service in Birmingham for the youth homelessness charity, St Basils. We hope that other companies within the property sector will be encouraged to work with us on similar projects so that more disadvantaged young people can benefit from the facilities, skills and opportunities to reach their potential.”

LandAid Foundations for Life
St Basils - works with young people