Heartbeat: Live and Work programme gets a VIP visit from Andy Street

October 14, 2020

Andy Street, the West Midlands Mayor, visited the Live and Work programme to find out more about how it will progress to the second stage.

The project is a partnership between the Trust and homeless charity St Basils and aims to provide apprenticeship opportunities and living accommodation to young people. Disused buildings, situated at the foot of the Hallam Street staff car park at Sandwell, have been revamped and turned into homes for those taking part in the scheme.

Now the Trust and St Basils are looking to transform another building so that the project can be expanded. The Mayor visited to see the work that has already been done and hear about how the project will be developed further.

Raffaela Goodby, Director of People and Organisation Development, said: “We were delighted to invite Andy to our Trust site and to share our vision for the Hallam Youth Village. The Live and Work project remains important for us as a Trust as we work with St Basils to provide a home and a job for young people who may be at risk of becoming homeless. We look forward to welcoming the Mayor back when the accommodation is revamped and ready to welcome the new residents’.

Lawrence Kelly, Learning Works Co-ordinator, added: “During his time here, the Mayor was able to speak to an apprentice who has first-hand experience of the Live and Work scheme and learn about how it has helped her, both in a professional and personal capacity.

“She has been able to complete her apprenticeship and has had a safe and comfortable place to live which is also convenient for her work. She has gone on to secure work through Trust Bank whilst she studies at university. This is a shining example of how this scheme is doing exactly what it set out to do. The apprenticeship team led by Maxine Griffiths have given this young person a fantastic platform to build upon for her future journey ahead.”