Mother and Baby housing charity seeks structural joist advice on a rear loading wall

What do they need help with?

Number Eight (Tamworth) is urgently seeking architectural or structural engineering support to assess a potential structural issue at one of their properties housing young mothers and their babies. In 2024, the charity successfully raised a deposit to purchase a house they had previously been renting, just before it was due to be repossessed. Since then, they have begun upgrading the property with funds raised for essential renovations.

A new shower room has been successfully installed, and work began on the bathroom when concerns were raised about the safety of a rear wall. A previous owner had modified the structure by replacing a window with French doors and cutting an arch through the wall to connect the main house to a conservatory. It appears the main joists were not properly upgraded as part of that work.

Before proceeding with kitchen renovations, the charity needs professional advice on whether the existing structure is safe and, if not, how the issue can be rectified. The affected area is at the rear of the detached house—specifically, the top of the ground floor and the bottom of the first floor. A full assessment of the wall is required to determine whether the property is safe and how to move forward with essential works.

The property in question is located at 24 Albert Road, Tamworth, B79 7JS. This home accommodates six young mums and their babies or mums-to-be, making it vital that safety concerns are addressed as soon as possible. Number Eight is hoping to complete the work by August 2025

Timeline

URGENT

About the organisation

Number Eight (Tamworth) is a local charity providing safe, supportive housing for young mothers and mums-to-be who are facing homelessness. Established in response to Tamworth’s historically high rate of teenage pregnancy and child protection cases, the charity offers both accommodation and vital life skills training.

Operating since 2014, the charity now runs two homes in Tamworth, giving young parents a stable environment to prepare for independent living. Their services include newborn care training, cooking and housekeeping skills, welfare and financial advice, and support into education, employment, or training.

The organisation’s impact is powerful: 95% of residents go on to live safe, happy lives with their children. In partnership with the local authority, Number Eight helps residents transition into long-term accommodation and continues to support them during the first six months of independent living. Their ultimate goal is to break the cycle of deprivation through nurturing, practical support—building social, emotional, and financial independence that benefits both parent and child.

http://www.numbereighttamworth.org.uk