Building Projects at the Ferry Project

2023 has been a transformative year for the Ferry Project with huge steps made in our build and renovation project.

In January, we welcomed contractors on site to start work on Destiny Haven, our brand-new emergency accommodation.

Progress was fast due to a very successful collaboration between all the professionals advising us and a great team at NBConstruction and JBE Services. We are very grateful to Swann Edwards, Quadrant, Stantec, AMR Group Ltd, Cass Allen, WE Consulting, S Robinson Ltd, Circadacare, Cambridge Alarms, CNC, VAT Advice, Martin & Mortimer, Anglian Water, UK Power Networks, Huws Gray and of course our fabulous maintenance team.

Everyone pulled together so that we welcomed our first clients in on 12th June. This was made possible through a grant from DLUP.

On July 14th Steve Barclay, our local MP and current minister for environment, many involved in the project, and our staff, partners and clients, joined us to officially open the new rooms and to celebrate such a wonderful achievement.

Destiny Haven has 9 rooms that give a bed to someone coming straight off the street. Accommodation here is temporary, with the aim being that after 4-6 weeks of wrap-around support, clients can move on to other accommodation, whether in the Ferry Project’s main hostel or through another provider. To make this possible, we partner with many different local services, ensuring there is always a pathway well suited to a client’s individual needs. We have welcomed over 50 people into Destiny Haven since it opened.

We know that many clients coming off the streets will need both physical and mental health assistance, and by working closely with our partners we ensure that clients get fast track GP registrations and same-day mental health assessments, as well as more client-specific support down the line if it is needed. 

We have designed the building to be as welcoming and homely as possible, each room has different pictures and duvet covers to make those who may have been living a chaotic and uncertain life feel welcome, calmer and more settled.  We have used circadian lighting in each room which mimics the tones and colours of natural daylight, to help restore normal sleeping patterns. We are one of the first to use this technology with clients who have been homeless.

The Hub

In May, Kier Construction very kindly offered to help us with the garden and refurbishment of the HUB – the base for our emergency support team who both support the residents of Destiny Haven and prevent homelessness. So far this year, the HUB have registered 198 clients, providing a whole range of outcomes from supporting clients with homelessness prevention to tenancy sustainment as well as giving advice and support.

Kier and many of their partners worked incredibly hard to transform a rough piece of car park and tired old offices. There were definite “Groundforce” moments as everyone rushed to finish by the launch! We are very grateful to everyone involved who generously donated time and materials to make this happen. In particular, Kier Construction, Utilities and Natural Resources, Chris Marshall, HL Dryline, Travis Perkins, Huws Gray Buildbase, Sunbelt Rentals, British Sugar, George Davies Turf and Aggregate Industries, Ginny and Mike Wallman, Rachel’s Plant Outlet, Jasmine Nurseries, SR Harradine and Hutchinsons.

The Training Kitchen

In September we started work on transforming our old commercial kitchen into a cookery school. We still have work to do but whilst we raise the funds, the school has opened in a temporary format, welcoming the first classes in October half term. The school will hold private courses to fund free classes for our clients and the vulnerable in our community, to learn to cook healthily and cost effectively. We plan to run classes and clubs which will bring groups together who may be lonely or struggling with mental or physical health issues.

Since we opened, 230 people have attended workshops, courses, a type 2 diabetes session, coffee club and pop ups.

Client classes have included chicken chow mien, shepherd’s pie, breadmaking, meatballs and spaghetti, lemon cake……plus group sessions making bacon baps, turkey and cranberry rolls, plus linking with a school to cook and serve lunch for everyone. 

Next year more of the same plus links with community groups, sessions for the elderly and for 16 to 25 yrs. plus much more! The wonderful smells of Christmas cooking have got everyone into the festive spirit.

Thank you to AMR Group Ltd, JBE Services, Swann Edwards and Farmhouse Living for helping to make this happen so quickly. We are very grateful for funding from Allison Homes.

Octavia View

Throughout the year we have been working on the main hostel with major renovations to our windows, guttering and roof.

We have renovated all our historic windows, replaced our old double glazing and put in secondary glazing throughout the main hostel. Much of this work was funded by a generous grant from the John Apthorp Foundation.

We have also put in a new electronic locking system, one of the largest Paxton systems in the UK.

We have started replacing the old carpet with new flooring and our maintenance team are working on a programme of re-decoration and small works throughout. We have re-opened our client kitchen and lounge after Covid and have started work on a flat for those just starting out in work but still in need of support as they make the transition to employment.

We are very grateful to Cambridge Alarms, Chameleon Decorators, Bereco Limited, Selectaglaze, H&W Joinery, Chris Marshall, Turners Construction Ltd, WSS Scaffolding, Simply Interiors, Xperience and our professional advisers Swann Edwards, Quadrant, Hutton+Rostron, Cass Allen, S Robinson Limited, MD Fire Solutions, WE Consulting, CNC and the planning team at Fenland District Council.

It has been a very busy year with so much achieved. As we continue to upgrade our facilities it allows our incredible support team to work more effectively with our clients, and it gives our clients a more personal and welcoming place to stay so that they are able to receive the love and support that the Ferry Project gives so brilliantly.

In 2023 we will have helped over 200 people either experiencing homelessness or on the brink of it. We have welcomed 57 to live with us in the Hostel, over 50 have been given shelter in Destiny Haven and we have continued to support clients in longer term accommodation throughout Wisbech and Fenland in either Places for People flats, modular homes or other supported accommodation.