A £3m COMMUNITY project designed to give vulnerable adults a fresh start in life is planned for the North East.
The redevelopment of a prime site in Gateshead by Emmaus could begin in 2012 with the first group of homeless people moving in and starting work later that year.
The project could benefit large numbers of ex-servicemen looking to make their way after they have been discharged from the forces.
Everyone moving into the accommodation would give up the right to benefits other than housing benefit and work a 36-hour week on the premises.
Up to 25 people would work on sustainable projects such as repairing and recycling electrical equipment which would go on sale.
It is hoped the project would become self-sustaining within three to five years.
Emmaus runs similar social enterprises in countries all over the world but the Gateshead scheme would be the first of its kind in the region.
Under the plans the site of the old Dunston Hill Primary School would be restored to become a vibrant place for local people to visit.
Those moving into the community would be referred by other agencies such as housing departments and social services and live and work at the project for around nine months.
Sue Wilson, vice chair of Emmaus Gateshead, said there were 300 projects around the world and 20 in the UK.
She said: “Quite a lot of people in the North East have been interested in the Emmaus concept for a number of years but until now nothing had been done to establish a community here.
“There is a very suitable property in Gateshead and a small group of trustees have set up Emmaus North East and we are working towards creating a social enterprise at Dunston Hill School.
“Emmaus communities combine work, a home and companionship of a group in one place. It’s not a hostel, it’s not a drop-in centre, alcohol and drugs are not permitted, it’s a working community. These are people who are ready for a fresh start, 30% of people who come to Emmaus communities in the UK are ex-servicemen, it does tend to be men but women are welcome as well.
“A lot of people have suffered relationship breakdowns, often a family breaks up and the wife and kids stay in the home and the dad is has no permanent address.”
The project will pump £3m into the Dunston area and space will be provided for other social enterprises and charities. It is hoped the building work will eradicate drainage problems that have blighted the work for some time.
Plans are expected to go in front of councillors from August and Blaydon MP Dave Anderson has met with Emmaus Gateshead and believes the project will help breath live into the Dunston area.
“This is something we should be supporting,” he said.
“It’s a good project for a site that needs taking care of and developing. We’ve got a piece of land that will only get worse if it isn’t occupied. It will support people who need help and we’ve got a good record of doing that here.”
