MP applauds self-build project

9.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 27th Aug 2007

Local MP, David Howarth, has visited the exciting self-build project by the residents of the 222 Victoria Road hostel.

Six homeless people from the hostel have built a meeting room for the site using sustainable building techniques learnt during the project. The scheme was supported by local construction company Radical Changes and Cambridge City Council. David commented at the launch:

"This is a brilliant project which gives those involved a real sense of achievement and a renewed optimism in their lives.

"The success of projects like this shows how important it is that help for the homeless also includes fulfilling work. This basic idea is the foundation of the Emmaus project which started here in Cambridge and it is excellent that this principle is spreading to other organisations."

David Howarth joins project leader Graham Haynes at the completed meeting room

The new building will now be used to run training courses in IT and life skills as well as provide leisure opportunities for hostel residents such as music production and DJing. The residents involved in the project will now be assessed for an NVQ in carpentry.