Buy a brick to help build new Norwich YMCA
 The Bishop of Norwich has urged people to buy one or more of the 70,000 bricks that will be required for the new YMCA Norfolk flats for homeless young people in Bethel Street.
The Rt Rev Graham James, who is Chair of the YMCA Norfolk Council of Patrons, launched the Brick Appeal to raise £70,000 by laying one of the first bricks in a ceremony on the site of the new development of 40 self-contained units on Bethel Street in Norwich on August 2.
Just £1 will cover the cost of each brick, mortar and labour that will be required for the development. It is hoped that this part of the £1m appeal will enable the YMCA to receive small amounts of money from as wide a cross-section of the community as possible with a view to making long-term friends and supporters.
Names of all those who have donated, whether they are individuals, community groups, churches or schools, will be displayed in a permanent exhibit in the new development.
Bishop Graham said: “This new wonderful facility is going to help rebuild the lives of many young people that need a lot of help in our city and county. There's an invitation to everyone to contribute by buying a brick for this new accommodation.”
YMCA Norfolk CEO, Tim Sweeting, said: “We are seeing an increase in the numbers of young people requiring our services and we are committed to doing everything we can to help young people when they need it most. This housing will provide young people with crucial move-on accommodation.
“Young people will be given a place first at the Central YMCA where they can be assessed. Those who demonstrate that they are committed to developing themselves and moving forward will be offered the opportunity to live in one of the flats on Bethel Street with a view to living independently within two years,” said Tim.
Norwich-based affordable housing developer Lovell has already started work on £4.4 million project which involves the redevelopment of the back part of the YMCA’s current building in St Giles Street. The company is demolishing the existing 1960s bedsits and a gymnasium on the Bethel Street side of the building with the St Giles Street frontage remaining intact.
The three and four-storey development will provide ‘move-on’ accommodation helping young homeless people prepare for pathways to independence. Each self-contained flat will have a living room/bedroom, a kitchen and a bathroom. There will be shared communal facilities such as a lounge, and somewhere to provide training in life skills such as cooking, budgeting and IT. The YMCA will also provide support staff who will give advice and guidance to encourage young people into work and training.
One feature of the new facility will be a bank of photovoltaic panels on the roof to supplement its heating supply.
“We are delighted to be working once again with YMCA Norfolk to build this important new development which will provide accommodation for vulnerable young people in Norwich,” said Lovell regional director Simon Medler.
Work on the project is due to be completed in January 2012.
Pictured top are some of the YMCA Norfolk team at the Brick Appeal launch and, above, Lovell operations manager Trevor Haystead, YMCA Norfolk CEO Tim Sweeting and the Bishop of Norwich, laying a brick. | 