Partner Article

Tyneside Foyer rises from the flames

An innovative housing and training complex has risen from the ashes a year after it was devastated by fire.

Building work on the Tyneside Foyer, which provides accommodation and training for young people, has been completed and the keys to the building have been handed over to Gosforth based Home Group.

To mark the formal completion of construction work Graeme Harker from Harrow LLP chartered surveyors handed over the keys of the building to Les Woodward, Home Group’s area business manager.

Graeme, a partner at Harrow LLP, who acted as Designer and Project Manager said: “To be honest the work here has exceeded all of our expectations. When we went in after the fire it was a big black hole. We wanted to be able to hand the building back within 12 months and I’m glad to say we’ve been able to do that. We have drawn upon our considerable expertise and experience within the sector to deliver a very successful project, which has finished ahead of time and budget. There has been a real team spirit from everyone who has worked on the project and I think that has been down to everyone knowing what a valuable resource the Foyer is in helping to transform young people’s lives.”

Les Woodward said: “We are delighted that building work has now been completed on the Foyer. It is one year this week since the Foyer was destroyed by fire. I’m very proud of the way in which staff refused to allow the upheaval to affect the work we do with our clients. The work which Harrow have undertaken has been first class. Their dedication to the project and determination to meet our strict deadlines has been unwavering.”

The building, which is run by Home Group’s care and support division Stonham, was engulfed with flames early one morning in January 2011.The 16-25-year-old residents were forced to flee the building and many were left with only the clothes they were standing in.

Staff, who have been re-located to the nearby House of Recovery, will move their offices back into the building and work to help fully equip the 52 en-suite rooms and 20 self contained one bedroom flats along with two modern ICT suites and five training rooms.

Les added: “We still have a couple of months to go before people can start living here but we are well on the way to having the Foyer operational again. The Foyer gives young people at risk of homelessness the skills they need to live independently.

“It also provides training, skills and accreditation to the residents and the wider community which help them to compete in the modern job market. Harrow have delivered a fantastic building which will allow Stonham to continue its great work.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Graeme Harker .