Mercian Housing Association development ‘The Orchard’ shortlisted for Housing Innovation Award

Developed in partnership with the YMCA and built on the site of a former YMCA homeless hostel in Erdington, the flagship £10 million development comprises of 83 one and two bedroom self-contained flats and has been recognised as a place of growth and nurturing that enhances the life chances of young people in Birmingham.

The innovative building design meets the Level 4 Code for Sustainable Homes, ensuring that it minimises the impact on the environment. Its residents benefit significantly from sustainable energy re-cycling at the building which includes water harvesting which has a direct benefit in reducing energy for residents.

The previous hostel, which had operated since 1958, no longer met the residents’ needs and its communal environment with shared bathrooms and kitchens prevented people learning the skills they need to live confidently on their own.

At ‘The Orchard’ all new residents have to agree to enter a programme of support which will assist them to live independently and into employment, training or education. It is more than just a residential building and the facilities available allow for a positive environment for young people to develop.

The scheme includes:

• The YMCA’s low cost day nursery located within the building. Residents gain work experience at the nursery to enhance their job prospects and develop child care skills
  
• The Orangery: a communal courtyard for residents which acts as a central meeting place to promote social interaction

• A training kitchen for residents to learn life-skills
  
• A variety of external amenity areas including pocket gardens and allotments, bee hives and chicken coops where residents are encouraged to grow and tend to fruit and vegetables, providing a sense of responsibility, achievement and promoting a Healthy Living Agenda

• Offices and meeting space away from residential accommodation to carry out mentoring, coaching, counselling and support

Development work is in progress to extend the scheme to include a Youth and Community Centre. The second phase is due to commence in mid-2012. The centre will establish a hub for the YMCA’s existing work with disadvantaged people, especially the young, whilst also providing high quality facilities for the whole community.

Laurice Ponting, Managing Director of Mercian Housing Association, said:

“We are very pleased that ‘The Orchard’ is being recognised for its innovative design and approach to helping young people in Birmingham. Through its holistic, innovative approach the Orchard promotes a sense of community, integration and cohesion and will ensure young people, their needs and aspirations, continue to remain at the heart of the YMCA’s and Mercian’s work to enhance life chances.”

Resident Jeremy Hales said:

“The facilities at The Orchard are brilliant compared to where I used to live. The workers are brilliant too. You know you can go and talk to them if you have a problem. Obviously the flats, being brand new, are immaculate. The design is nice and modern and it is a nice feeling walking into somewhere like this. You don’t think of it as a hostel, it is like a normal block of apartments and it feels homely.”

Alan Fraser, Chief Executive of Birmingham YMCA said:

“The Orchard is the culmination of six years of dedicated partnership working between ourselves and Mercian HA. Every element of this scheme has been the subject of deliberation and robust debate because we were committed to making this scheme the very best it could be. We’re proud of what has been achieved here – and is continuing to be achieved every day by staff and service users, inspired by this innovative and inspirational development.”

Further links and information on the scheme:

www.mercian.org.uk

www.birminghamymca.co.uk

10/02/12 12:13