Our VELUX roof window donation gives light to St George's Crypt
Approached by our customer P Pope to provide a Velux roof window donation for the charity St George’s Crypt, we were happy to assist. It's helped to create a ‘working workshop’ facility to be used by up to 20 people in Leeds.
Mention St George’s Crypt to anyone in Leeds and they’ll probably know who you’re talking about. A charity that’s been in operation for 88 years offering the homeless shelter, food and support in the heart of the city.
The Crypt offers 24/7 emergency accommodation for men and women who are homeless or sleeping rough. You may have visited their café or seen the charity shops. However, you might not be aware they have four 4 bed houses in the area. These are used to creating dispersive living for those with drug and alcohol addictions. Men who’ve committed to an 18 month recovery programme with the aim of getting them back on their feet. It's based on the 12 step recovery model.
Smaller houses are more effective
Instead of creating larger hostel type accommodation the charity has found that houses for four are more effective. “Mostly aged between 35-45, they are all on a similar journey. They support each other on their recovery. Working with the Howarth Foundation and a range of partner agencies in Leeds and further afield, the success rate for the guys maintaining their recovery has been incredibly high”.
One of these is a Victorian terrace BRM customer P Pope Builders has been working on. They spent part of last year forming new ‘purpose-built’ facilities out of what was once stables and then later an engineering works attached to the house. These now host seminars and training for recovering addicts and alcoholics.
The next step has been to provide a multi-purpose space for work-based learning for 20 people enrolled in the programme in the adjoining lean-to outbuilding. Structurally unsafe, the building needed to be demolished and rebuilt.
Velux roof window donations
The roof was changed from a flat to a pitched. Together with VELUX, our Velux window donation of the roof lights will provide light for tailored activities, like furniture restoration, to support their recovery.
Recovery involves much more than just and having a roof over your head...
Social interaction, a purpose in life with meaningful employment, routine and structure are crucial to recovery. BRM are delighted to be able to contribute, in a small way, with facilities like this. Helping struggling individuals build lasting relationships, get back out into the community and become productive members of society.