New Church Army Danescourt Homeless Project in Cardiff

Over the past 18 years, Church Army's Danescourt Project for homeless young people in Cardiff has commendably served 1,006 teenage residents in a heavily adapted Council-owned Victorian building. With the Project's gradual development and expansion in its comprehensive training and resettlement programme, the two-storey property was proving woefully inadequate. What was needed was to bring all the facilities under one roof. Now, that prayer is being answered.

In partnership with Cardiff City Council, the Cadwyn Housing Association and local churches, Church Army is preparing a new centre in the Fairwater district of Cardiff in order to develop the Danescourt Project to its full potential. Known as DC@Ty-Bronna, it will house 13 individual bedrooms, offer emergency accommodation, include life skills and other training resources and provide space for all the Project's resettlement facilities, all of which will be available to the local community. It is hoped for a September completion date.

At a celebration dinner on Monday night in the City Hall, the Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Lynda Thorne, said: "The Church Army's Danescourt Project is an example of how, when organisations work together, they can provide a more rounded approach to a housing scheme, which ultimately resolves much more than just housing issues."

The Project Manager, Jon Durley, said that Danescourt had met expressed need which for many had been life saving. It had been a place of safety away from violence and abuse and where young people could work out and overcome those issues that created a barrier to personal development. Above all, it was a home that was accessible, supportive and caring.

He introduced a former resident, Chris Adams, who spoke of the value of his nine months in Danescourt. "That was nearly four years ago when I was 16," he said. "I learnt basic skills, maths and English and that set me in the right direction for a year at College. Also, I have been helped to find a one-bedroom council flat and have held down a job for nearly a year in a furnishing store. The staff have always supported me and helped me re-build relationships with my own family. I owe them such a lot and I hope their good work continues."

Launching the Ty-Bronna appeal, Chief Secretary Philip Johanson stressed that the word "partnership" was key to all that had happened and would take place in the future. Church Army now had the task of raising at least £122,000 - £64,000 for furnishing the residential unit and £58,000 for equipping the day care centre.

A PowerPoint presentation was given by Church Army Operations Director, Ian Fishwick, and during the evening, Sian William played the harp. Welsh specialities featured on the menu including farmhouse pate, cawl cennin soup, lamb and Caerphilly cheese.