News
Mi–space reforms Victorian Saddlers store in Newton Abbot to create new community space
( Last Updated: 13-07-2009 )
Mi-space has just finished the conversion of 9 -11 Queen Street into Offices and a drop in centre for Young Devon and Signpost Care Partnerships.
The shop that has stood on Queen Street in Newton Abbot for over one hundred years used to operate as a Saddlers (making saddles, harnesses and repairing all manner of leather goods in the Victorian era). Today it has taken on a new guise as the local drop in centre for Young Devon.
Young Devon is a charity dedicated to working with young people from all backgrounds, with an aim to enhance the lives and promote opportunity for those who are least likely to have their voices heard. Through a wide variety of initiatives Young Devon makes contact with over 10,000 young people a year and works with them to overcome a range of challenges. Every night they enable over 200 young people to access supported accommodation across Devon, Torbay and Plymouth. Every month Young Devon offers over 500 hours of counseling to young people through their network of drop in centres.
Queen Street is the latest addition to Young Devon's range of facilities for carrying out this community work as it provides both office space, a drop in centre and living space for up to four residents. The scheme a joint venture; between Signpost Care Partnerships (part of Spectrum Housing Group) and Young Devon, presented the contractor Mi-space with numerous refurbishment challenges due to the town centre location and confined site space.
The £0.5m partnership scheme has been funded by Teignbridge District Council, Devon County Council and the Homes and Communities Agency. Signpost Care Partnerships has taken on the 25 year building lease and Young Devon has taken the lease on the Youth Enquiry Service.
Andrew Johnston Director of Mi-space, said:
"The team at Mi-space is delighted to have been part of this scheme. We think Young Devon carry out wonderful work and genuinely add to the cohesion of Newton Abbot as a community. Young people face a great many challenges in today's world and it's good to know that there are charities out there doing essential work at grass roots community level"
Tim Tod Chief Executive of Youth Devon, said:
"This initiative is a fantastic example of how by working together Devon Children's Trust (a partnership between Statutory, Voluntary & Community agencies) can develop truly integrated services that will make a significant difference to the lives of some of the most vulnerable young people living in the community. "
Alyson Haynes, Area Development Manager at Spectrum Housing Group said:
"This is an exciting project providing a worthwhile service to the young people in Newton Abbot. It goes to prove that partnership working really can work for the benefit of the community."
