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OLD BIRKENHEAD PUB DEVELOPED FOR HOMELESS PEOPLE
A former pub on Duke Street , Birkenhead which served its last pint in 2013 has found a new purpose by being converted into studio flats for homeless people .
The former Grand Trunk pub has been acquired by a local charity , The Wirral Churches Ark Project and already has 3 studio flats in the building but now aims to develop another floor bringing the number of flats to six in the building .
The organisation which helps homeless people in the Wirral area has been given almost £ 36,000 by Cheshire Freemasons ’ to enable the conversion to be completed .
Wirral Ark is a local grassroots organisation backed by the local authority working on the frontline of homeless provision in Wirral . Since 1991 , they have worked directly with people experiencing homelessness and grown from a temporary night shelter to a commissioned service working 24 / 7 , 365 days a year . Their aim is simple : to break the destructive cycle of homelessness by addressing the personal , social and structural causes .
The project is to provide 3 new units of self-contained studio flats , each with their own bedroom and living space , kitchenette and en-suite , along with an emergency bed space of temporary accommodation . Self-contained units are vital to stopping the spread of disease , and promote dignity and independence .
Freemasons donated £ 1 million between April and July last year to help those impacted by the Covid-19 crisis , and are now focusing on protecting the homeless , with a new series of donations across England and Wales .
The homeless crisis has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic , with many people losing their jobs and finding themselves either living on the streets or in unsuitable living conditions .
The funds raised by the Freemasons nationally will help provide safe living conditions , healthcare , meals , and employment opportunities for the homeless ; as well as helping protect them from the winter weather , which kills hundreds of homeless people every year . In addition , Freemasons will be volunteering their time at 26 homeless support organisations .
The grant from Cheshire Freemasons comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation , which is funded by Freemasons , from across England and Wales .
Elliot Jessett of Wirral Ark said : " The grant from Cheshire Freemasons will fund the capital costs of converting Wirral Ark ’ s former head office into 3 self-contained flats for people experiencing homelessness . Housing is frontline defence to Covid transmission , which has created an urgent need for Covid-safe self-contained housing for homeless people . The flats will provide a positive environment for people to recover in their journey to a stable and independent future "
Harry Wright , a senior Cheshire Freemason said “ We are very pleased to be able to assist Wirral Churches Ark Project which will help homeless people directly and for the long term ”.
As part of the national effort , Freemasons will be providing support to homeless people across the country :
• More than 40,000 homeless people will be provided with essentials , transport and support , as well as help accessing services such as counselling , healthcare and benefits ;
• Almost 197,000 meals will be provided to homeless people ;
• Approximately 600 people are being given employment and training opportunities ;
• Nearly 1,400 individuals are being provided with accommodation and support . wirrallife . com 17