Recent figures show that more than half of teenagers leaving local authority care are being placed in unsafe and unsuitable accommodation for long periods. These startling statistics show just how vital charities such as MoCoCo House really are and, thanks to support from CRASH and our Patron companies, what it meant to the first young adult who took up residence in time for Christmas.
Based in Middlewich, Cheshire CRASH has been working with this homelessness project to transform a former bus garage into nine self-contained bedsits for young homeless adults as well as a warden flat, a training room and a small laundry room.
We called on our CRASH patrons to get the renovations on their way. Their support helped us to completely transform the building into a safe, warm place for vulnerable young people.
The first step in the process was to ensure the building was watertight therefore CRASH called upon Patron companies Bauder and Galliford Try to undertake a roofing survey and awarded the project a cash grant of £10,000 towards the vital roof repairs.
Supplies of internal insulation, plasterboard and paint were donated by CRASH Patrons British Gypsum, Dulux Trade, Knauf and Siniat. Flooring was sourced at significant discount from CRASH supporter Heckmondwicke.
Galliford Try sourced 11 high quality kitchens including one specially adapted for disabled use and one in a communal area for teaching life skills at a significantly discounted rate and also undertook an extensive utilities survey which led to CRASH awarding a further £10,000 grant for electricity and water upgrades.
Areen Design went above and beyond in their support supplying beds, sofas, tables, chairs, wardrobes and light fitting completely free of charge for all nine bedsits and the warden’s flat.
Our aim has always been that this facility should continue to be used for the benefit of the young adults of Middlewich. For many years we have helped a small number of young people as they make the transition into adult life by supporting their housing needs. Out of this desire to help vulnerable young adults we are now in a position to launch a new project that will make a real difference.
Chair of MoCoCo House Trustees
MoCoCo House’s first resident will be a young man who is leaving local authority care because his foster carers are retiring. He will move into his own bedsit at the beginning of December.
“MoCoCo House, which could not have been established without CRASH, will provide a safe, secure and supportive environment to help homeless young adults grow and develop and be empowered to manage their own life for the future. Each young resident will be allocated a mentor and a keyworker to help them progress their independence skills and there will also be continued support available once a young person moves on depending on their needs. Our training room aims to offer awareness sessions on health issues, hygiene, drugs, alcohol, money management, keeping safe, etc. There will be cooking sessions to help young people plan meals, budget, shopping, prepare, cook and clean for themselves. Other sessions will enable them to understand the importance of managing money, health, hygiene, resolving issues etc.”
Centre Manager at MoCoCo House
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