Brilliant South West charity is seeking architectural support to transform its Wiltshire centre.

What do they need help with?

The Amber Foundation is preparing to transform its Wiltshire centre, Bythesea Lodge in Trowbridge, by creating a new dining room and communal area for the young people who live there. The project would involve extending out from the existing footprint of the building to create a bright, naturally lit space during the day, and a warm, comfortable place for young people to eat, relax and spend time together in the evening.

Amber is seeking pro bono architectural and engineering advice at an early stage of the project. First, the charity needs a new set of floor and site plans showing the existing configuration of the building. These plans are needed before Amber can seek accurate quotes for the work and submit a planning application to Wiltshire Council. The charity would welcome support to identify a suitable company that can produce drawings to the standard required.

Second, Amber is looking for advice to help draft a basic, realistic specification for the project. The work is expected to cost around £250,000, funded by a LandAid partner, and the charity needs to seek quotes from at least three suitable contractors. A clear specification would help ensure each contractor is responding to the same expectations, making the process fairer, more consistent and easier to assess.

Amber would also value guidance on the wider process. The charity anticipates that contractors may provide plans, either in-house or through a retained architect, and may support with the planning application. However, Amber is seeking expert advice to understand whether this assumption is correct, or whether additional architectural or planning support will be needed.

This support would help Amber move forward with confidence, make best use of the funding available, and create a better communal environment for young people as they rebuild their lives.

Timeline

As soon as possible

About the organisation

The Amber Foundation supports homeless young people by providing a temporary home and a full programme of support to help them transform their lives. The charity works with young people facing complex challenges, including mental health difficulties, experience of care, offending histories, substance misuse, limited qualifications and neurodevelopmental conditions.

Amber operates four centres in Surrey, Kent, Wiltshire and Devon, each housing 25 to 30 young people. Across its centres, the charity provides a calm, structured and nurturing environment, combining personalised support, training, new experiences and practical skills development. Every young person has an individual support plan and takes part in a programme focused on employability, independent living, mental health and wellbeing, and personal development.

In the last year, 199 young people moved through Amber’s service, with 70% leaving successfully into sustainable accommodation. Of those moving on, 28% secured permanent employment and accommodation, 4% moved into training or education with accommodation, and 38% completed a professional Level 2 qualification or above while at Amber and secured accommodation.

https://amberweb.org/