Plans for ‘The Orchard’, an innovative centre and project for people caught in homelessness, have been revealed by Emmaus Hull.
The plans, now ready for submission to Hull City Council’s planning department for approval, are for a building on Lockwood Street. The Orchard will provide a home for up to 30 ‘companions’ and also employment in a furniture restoration enterprise.
To be built in partnership with Chevin Housing Association Ltd, funding is being partly provided by the Homes and Communities Agency. The target is to have the building finished and in operation by March 2015.
Richard, who currently has a home in Emmaus Leeds, explains the benefits of this sort of project: “This is not like living in a traditional homelessness hostel, none of the residents need to ‘sign on’. You don’t struggle to get a job interview because of your past, you’re not seen as a criminal or addict, Emmaus give you a job. That can turn your life around. I really think Hull deserves an Emmaus project.”
Submitting plans for this innovative project is another significant step in bringing an Emmaus project to Hull, a dream pursued by former council leader Patrick Doyle for more than 5 years.
“Today is important. We’ve been talking about this a long time. Today we’re on the cusp of achievement” says Patrick.
“This is not short-term, it’s about getting people turned around and on the way to self-sufficiency and independence. People will be able to stay at the project as long as they like, because they will like it. They will learn a range of skills within the enterprise like restoration and van driving.”
In keeping with Hull’s drive to become a greener city, ‘The Orchard’ will also demonstrate its commitment to reducing its environmental impact. The residency and workshops will be built to high environmental standards. The project also hopes to plant a real orchard of fruit trees, and to become partly self-sufficient by growing food for the table from its own allotment.
Emmaus has a fantastic reputation nationally for the work it does with formerly homeless people. Offering its residents immediate work, and helping them to learn new skills, gives ‘companions’ hope and value. This project is about more than giving someone a home, it’s about restoring lives.
Jerome Whittingham