Homeless project set to cost £1m says charity

Members of the charity Emmaus UK had originally estimated that they would need as much as £2.3m to renovate St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Bradford into a commune-style base for homeless people.

But now project leaders believe that, with the help of volunteers and businesses giving their time for nothing, the final bill may be around £1m.

Changes in the planning blueprint have also helped reduce the overall costs but without compromising the ambition of the project, according to the charity.

Detailed surveys on the costs are expected in the next few weeks.

The project is reliant on donations and is preparing a bid for cash from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Work is currently taking place to tidy up the inside of the 135-year East Parade church ahead of a phase one scheme which will create a 12-bed accommodation scheme in a former nursery building at the site.

Project spokeswoman Juli Thompson said a range of private and public sector organisations were playing their part in keeping the charity’s bills to a minimum.

Staff at the Department of Work and Pensions and Experian have been cleaning inside the building ahead of painting and decorating work.

“Volunteers have been instrumental in getting the ball rolling. They have been coming in and have started to clear things out,” she said.

The aim is to create 16 apprenticeship positions in order to get the project fully kick-started.

A major re-launch of the project will take place on Thursday, April 18, when former hostage Terry Waite, president of Emmaus UK, will visit Bradford.

He will be at St Mary’s to support the project and will join visitors on a tour.

Visitors will be updated on what the project has achieved and plans for the coming months.

The Bradford church is hoping to become the 22nd Emmaus homeless base in the UK.

Ms Thompson said the April 18 event would be useful in raising the profile of the scheme and in fund-raising.

“It looks like we have been quiet but we have actually been very active. We want to raise the profile of the project and let people know where we are. The hard work starts now.”

Although the project need to raise a lot of money, the focus is not solely on cash, she added.

“We don’t focus on money. Our focus is around the work - we want to inspire people to make a difference and get involved.”

The long-term aim is to create a “self-sufficient, sustainable, self-help community” of people who earn their keep, she said.

It was not intended to be a homeless “hostel”, she added.

Residents – known as ‘companions’ – are expected to come off State benefits and stay away from drink and drugs.

They will be expected to work and support the Emmaus community.

Previous ‘companions’ have come from various walks of life and have included several former soldiers.

In Bradford, the aim is to allow stalls to sell various wares from inside the church, alongside a coffee shop.

It is hoped that a training centre can start up from the church within the next three or four months.

It is important that the project moves fast as vandals have been causing damage to the fabric of the building in the past 12 months.

After the first phase, another two phases will follow, leading eventually to the opening of 24 beds in total.

“It will be a community and will be sustainable. Residents get training, accommodation and meals. It is life-changing,” said a spokeswoman.

* To get involved call 07833 450482.

The opening evening runs from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.