YEOVIL NEWS: Creating homes and turning lives around

YEOVIL NEWS: Creating homes and turning lives around

WORK is ongoing in turning the former Milford Inn pub in Yeovil into six flats for rent by local families.

But South Somerset District Council, who is working with Somerset Care & Repair to convert the old pub, has said that the project is more than just providing housing.

The Milford Inn had been standing empty for some time and was bought by Somerset Care & Repair, a not for profit charity, to convert it into accommodation.

Somerset Care & Repair works with a number of partner organisations to renovate empty/dilapidated properties whilst at the same time providing training for young unemployed people or college students who want to pursue a career in the building trade.

Building projects like this are a way of training young people in various building trades to help them develop careers. Several people who have worked on the project have gone on to get full time jobs elsewhere or stayed longer than the mandatory six-week placement because of their willingness to learn.

Kevin Lake, director of Somerset Care & Repair, said: “This project isn’t without its challenges, but the results outweigh the problems and it is amazing to see the transformation in our volunteers.

“We take a more holistic approach to overcome the barriers to employment and provide assistance, where needed, beyond just skills training. Working in partnership with Yeovil College and other voluntary sector organisations we provide each volunteer with a “road map” to reaching meaningful and paid employment.”YEOVIL NEWS: Creating homes and turning lives around

PHOTO – TOP: Cllr Ric Pallister (far right) and Alasdair Bell, South Somerset District Council’s environmental health manager (far left) join Somerset Care & Repair staff Kevin Lake, director (second left), Sarah-Jane Shillto (third left), Shirley Wright (sixth left in blue top) and Gerald Goulden (second right) with volunteers working on the Milford Inn project.

PHOTO – RIGHT: Cllr Ric Pallister is shown some of the work completed by the volunteers.

Already, Somerset Care & Repair are hearing stories that those who have worked on the project have turned their lives around after gaining the skills required to get a job in the building trade and are now in full time employment or completing further qualifications.

Council leader, Cllr Ric Pallister, said: “I take my hat off to the Care & Repair team and their partners. They really are turning lives around. For young people who lack support, self-confidence and guidance, it is only too easy to believe that you have no hope of ever getting a job, because too many people have told you just that.

“The opportunity that Somerset Care & Repair are giving to those individuals is invaluable and it is heartening to see them move from doing nothing to really wanting to learn and work. They are finding self-worth, skills and real earning potential.

“There is a critical shortage of qualified individuals to work in the building trade across the district and region. This type of project gives those who are willing to learn a goal and a real chance to potentially change their lives.

“Although we recognise a building project such as this can take more time than if done by a fully qualified labourer, the district council fully supports projects such as this because of the all-round benefits it has to the economy, employment, reduction in crime, and the reduced empty properties in South Somerset.

“We fully applaud Somerset Care & Repair for their efforts with the people they have and are working with.”

South Somerset District Council has helped provide some funding towards the scheme and receives nomination rights for the completed flats in order to rehouse local families on the Housing Needs Register.

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