Project MC with Michael House

‘Our Thanks to you All’

‘10 Things about the Project’

• We wanted to support a charity closer to home in January 2020.
• The pandemic stopped us in our tracks.
• In January 2023 we honoured our promise of the initial support and embarked on pledging for skills with time, labour, materials, donations.
• An initial meeting demonstrated a need for 5 phases of works.
• Watts Holt began the task of design and planning drawings for ALL the phases.
• We began in March 2024 with Phase 1 a small larder room being transformed into a Breakfast Room for residents. Ceiling was lowered, electrics, plumbing, plastering and flooring laid. The Dining Area was transformed into a Training Kitchen with installation of new kitchen units, worktops, ovens and hobs in 3 separate work areas, all kindly donated. A new suspended ceiling fitted, further, electric work, plumbing and paintwork, with time given at no cost.
• Phase 2 was for an external outbuilding for group and 1:1 works. We have received tremendous support for this to happen from groundworks and slab laying, erection of the outbuilding, windows and doors installed, all kindly donated, roof and internal works for electrical and plastering to floor laying. Again, all donated and time given up.
• Phase 3 works is the transformation of a storeroom to create a wet room on the ground floor. This will assist any residents who may find stair climbing difficult to manage. All plumbing door linings, electrical works, installation to complete shower room kindly donated.
• Phase 4 works have been transformation of the lounges in House 50. This was led by a team of volunteers last weekend, again given up their time to totally transform this space into a brighter area.
• Phase 5 and the final part of the project will be completion of a new kitchen in House 50, again kindly donated and installed. Further electrical works, kitchen installation, plumbing and painting at n cost, just time donated to this amazing project.

‘10 Things about Michael House’

• Michael House has been supporting the homeless since 1992. They are a pet friendly, drug and alcohol-free environment.
• Michael House is more than just a homeless hostel. It’s home and their mission has always been to help anyone who is vulnerable.
• Michael House provides emergency and longer term accommodation to homeless people and also provide related day services.
• Michael House provides encouragement, advice and support to their clients in an environment which enables them to gain a greater sense of self worth to move towards a more independent life.
• Michael House works in cooperation and collaborative way with the relevant statutory services and with other voluntary organisations.
• Michael House stats: There is a need… Broken lives as a result of homelessness has been a major problem in the Bournemouth Area for over 30 years.
• Need is demonstrated by the fact they always operate to full capacity. Official rough sleeper counts, which tend to minimise the situation, consistently at double figures.
• Michael House says the solution is by providing respect, care and support to all residents. Michael House aims to restore self-esteem, assist with life skills, access further education where necessary, facilitate training for employment to enable to rebuild their own lives and reintegrate back into the community.
• Safety… Michael House is a place where residents feel safe, warm and inspired.