MPS and Orbit worked in partnership to bring back to life an unused nursery space, located on the ground floor of Carrack House within a tower blockin Erith, Kent.
The space, which was unfit for purpose, was refurbished through MPS’s community investment programme. The nursery is positioned in the heart of the community, providing a local service for residents that live within the block and the surrounding area. The facilities offer childcare provision for lone parents that are within the immediate vicinity of the estate.
The Housing Association Charitable Trust (HACT), provides data analytics and insight across the housing sector. In their latest Community Insight profile for Orbit Housing, they found that statistics for the number of children living in poverty, children in ‘out of work’ households, and children in lone parent households were all higher than the UK average.
With 31.1% of children living in lone parent households, it is integral that children have the opportunity to learn through playing with their peers and adults. This project has the potential to raise confidence and support 30 lone parents to secure employment. Using the HACT Social Value Calculator that would generate £429,270.
The MPS team worked relentlessly at Carrack House over a three week period, to ensure the facility was turned around within the set timescales.
Work on the premises included replacing the kitchen and bathrooms to ensure they were appropriate heights for staff and adults. Baby changing facilities were created in the toilet area and old glass screen dividers were removed. As well as painting the rooms, new carpets were fitted and efficient electric heaters with safety guards were installed to prevent any accidents.
The total cost of the refurbishment was over £10,000 and was led by a team of MPS’ kitchen fitters, plumbers, carpet layers, tillers, carpenters and painters.
The total cost of the refurbishment was £10,133.05.
Carrack House now provides access to childcare facilities for 30 children in the local community and a network of support for lone parent female households, offering relief from social isolation.
The project has enabled one of Orbit’s customers to set up a successful business that now employs people from the local area. Carrack House is also now a source of income for Orbit, generating revenue which is being reinvested back into the community.
“Thank you, MPS, for doing such a fantastic job. With you hard work and dedication to complete this project it has created a home for a new business startup and has given an important asset to the local community. You have created a safe, vibrant facility that will play a part in the development of the local children for many years to come.”
Eric Hodges,
Placemaking and partnerships Manager