Edmond Shipway Supports Embassy Homelessness Project
Leading independent construction and property consultancy Edmond Shipway has been appointed to a pioneering initiative tackling homelessness in Greater Manchester, providing project management and cost consultancy services on the second phase of Embassy Village.
Set to deliver 40 purpose-built homes for men facing homelessness in Manchester, Embassy Village will act as a hub for those in need, with a community centre, green space, and multi-use sports centre on offer to help residents rebuild their lives. Embassy Village is the next step for the charity, Embassy, which helps people break the cycle of homelessness by providing a home, skills training and wraparound support.
An event took place on Monday 18 November to mark the site’s progress. The occasion was an opportunity for the charity to thank the local businesses that have supported the scheme, many of which, including Edmond Shipway, have done so at a reduced rate or on a pro bono basis.
Funding has been secured for the first 24 homes following a £3.5m donation from the Moulding Foundation, with construction set to start later this month. Funds are still needed, however, to enable the charity to employ six additional full-time staff to run the village, which is expected to open to residents in late 2025. Embassy is also planning to open a separate facility to help homeless women in the future.
Jamie Crouch, director at Edmond Shipway, said: “Being involved in bringing Embassy Village to life has been a very rewarding process for our team.
“This is a fantastic project that will make a real difference to those facing homelessness in Manchester, and it’s important to us as a business to do our bit for worthwhile causes such as Embassy Village.
“We’re thrilled to have been involved in this project alongside so many other generous businesses, and it would be fantastic to see Embassy reach its funding target.”
The project brings together the expertise of multiple partners
Other partners contributing to the scheme include Arcadis, which provided project management services for the first half of the project, Peel Waters, which provided the land, Capital&Centric, and Vermont Construction Group.
Sid Williams, co-director and founder of Embassy, said: “The generosity of those who have supported Embassy Village has blown us away, and we can’t thank them enough. We couldn’t have got this far without Edmond Shipway, Jamie and the whole team have been brilliant throughout the process. They have been completely professional and clear-minded which is exactly what’s needed in such a large project with so many stakeholders.
“Embassy Village will be a huge step forward for Manchester in tackling homelessness, and will allow us to provide a long-term, supportive community for those who need it.
“The average time those who are homeless spend in shelter is between ten and 15 years, which has a huge impact on their confidence and mental health, whereas the average stay at Embassy is currently 14 months. Embassy Village will allow us to support even more people in Manchester to get their lives back on track, and we’re extremely grateful to everyone who is helping us reach this goal.”
Residents will receive training and mentoring to help them break the cycle of homelessness and reintegrate back into society, and will be equipped with a range of life skills, including shopping, budgeting and cooking.
Embassy Village will also help residents get into work, and 21 companies have already partnered up with Embassy to offer interviews and job opportunities. Companies interested in supporting the village can contact sid@embassyvillage.co.uk, and donations can be made at https://www.embassyvillage.co.uk/
