A 'ground-breaking' day for vulnerable young people in Ashfield

25 March 2010

The High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire lead a ‘ground-breaking’ ceremony today for Framework’s exciting new living and training scheme for young people in Ashfield

In his last official engagement as High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire, Michael Rowen, who is also Chairman of the Nottinghamshire Community Safety Trust, climbed aboard a JCB in his full Sheriff’s attire when the first ground was broken at the Trading Post site on Outram Street in Sutton-in-Ashfield.

Framework’s Chief Executive Andrew Redfern; Philip Marshall, Chief Executive of Ashfield District Council; Cllr May Barsby, Chairman of Ashfield District Council and young people from the local area were among those who joined the High Sheriff to celebrate the start on site.

The existing, dilapidated ‘Trading Post’ building, situated in Sutton-in-Ashfield’s main shopping area, is to be demolished. It will make way for a high-quality new building which will provide local young people (aged 16-30) with the accommodation, support and training opportunities they need to achieve their aspirations. The scheme will make a significant contribution to the regeneration of the area.

The £2.8m supported housing, training and enterprise scheme, due to open in 2011, will include:

• Seventeen units of supported accommodation for homeless and vulnerable young people, who will receive a package of housing support, structured activity and training to address the whole range of their needs.

• A street front cyber café and a training space that will be used to deliver education, volunteering and employment services to help people into employment.

• Opportunities to be involved in social enterprises such as catering, decorating and cleaning.

• Space (including incubator units) for local entrepreneurs to establish their operating base, access support and receive advice in developing their business.

This new scheme for Ashfield has been developed by a wide-ranging partnership of agencies over the past two and half years. It is funded by the Homes and Communities Agency’s (HCA) National Affordable Housing Programme; the Communities and Local Government’s Places of Change Programme; the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF); Nottinghamshire Community Safety Trust; Ashfield District Council and Framework.

Michael Rowen, the High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire and Chair of Nottinghamshire Community Safety Trust said: “I am extremely proud to be ‘breaking the ground’ for this landmark scheme as my final official engagement as High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire.

“Nottinghamshire Community Safety Trust was responsible for bringing the need for a living and training scheme of this nature in Ashfield to the attention of Framework and its statutory partners. We know that disadvantaged young people in this area are at a higher risk of involvement with the criminal justice system through a lack of appropriate housing and access to skills training and employment. It was clear that something needed to be done to address this problem and I am absolutely delighted that work to help make our ambitions for the young people of Ashfield real is underway.”

Andrew Redfern, Chief Executive of Framework said: “Framework aims to provide homeless and vulnerable people with safe, high-quality accommodation and the support, choice and opportunities they need to get their lives on track. The new development at Outram Street will provide a range of services for people in the Ashfield area, bringing with them fresh opportunity and the potential to change lives.

“Combined with Framework’s redevelopment of its former Day Centre in Mansfield, which will provide a permanent emergency accommodation service for local homeless people, this scheme represents an investment of £4.2m, bringing significant social and economic benefits to the Ashfield and Mansfield area.”

Margaret Allen, regional director of the HCA East Midlands, said: “We are pleased to support this high quality scheme, which will not only provide accommodation for homeless people, but also offer users the vital support and training opportunities to make a real difference to their lives.”

Cllr May Barsby, Chairman of Ashfield District Council said: "This scheme will be of great benefit for vulnerable young people who need to be able to access skills and support. "All the partners involved in this project are to be congratulated on their vision and drive in providing vital, potentially life changing services."

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