Pioneering Partnership Project Helps Young Borderers
09 March 2010
A unique and novel project is about to be launched in Galashiels, designed to help vulnerable young people make the transition to fully independent living. The initiative is based around an existing block of flats in Albert Place, Galashiels, and will provide not only self-contained accommodation for 4 young people, but also training on the full range of skills needed to maintain their tenancies and to make the best of their abilities, at home and in the jobs market. The youngsters who will benefit from this project will be given tenancies of up to 6 months in the Albert Place flats, along with round-the-clock support from a Transitions Team containing specialist advisers on employment and training, housing options and general life skills. This project has been developed jointly by Scottish Borders Housing Association which owns and leases the flats, Scottish Borders Council’s Social Work Department which provided a grant of £274,000 to assist with the cost of the building’s conversion and refurbishment, as well as employing the Transitions Team, and finally, the Scottish Government which contributed £83,848 towards the cost of a Training Flat within Albert Place and the cost of additional staff within the Transitions Team. The Albert Place facility is also unique in having been developed in close liaison with young people who themselves have in the past experienced the transition to successful independent living. It is intended that these young folk will continue to play a part in the project once it is fully up and running, as they are seen as key to its success. The newly-completed accommodation at 29 Albert Place will be opened formally, and the project launched, on Wednesday 10th March 2010, at 12.00 noon. The Council’s Executive Member for Social Work, David Raw, will jointly open the facility along with David Pye, SBHA Board Member and also Chairman of SBHA Plus, the Association’s subsidiary company which was awarded the Wider Role grant for this project. Councillor David Raw said: ‘I am delighted to see the development of this service to support Scottish Borders young care leavers. Close collaboration between agencies has made this possible. As an Elected Member I am very aware of my responsibilities to these vulnerable young people and look forward to seeing further developments that help them to become responsible adults.’
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