New support centre for Aldershot teens underway

Published by Steve Murphy for Sentinel Housing Association Ltd in Housing

Aldershot youth charity Step By Step has teamed up with Sentinel Housing Association to provide a new accommodation and support centre for young people in north Hampshire.

An 12-month project to build 30 new apartments started this month, and will mean Step By Step can bring together staff and accommodation from five sites under one roof at Crimea Road.

Sentinel have hired Hampshire construction firm Wilding Butler to complete the new £3.5m centre, and secured a government grant topped up with contributions from Rushmoor, six other councils, and a loan from Sentinel.

With strong demand from teenagers asking for help or somewhere to stay, the new centre means young people will no longer need to share bedrooms, and will be able to offer residents more, such as cooking, budgeting and social activities.

Sentinel Chief Executive Martin Nurse said: "Young people are the future, and we have to accept that sometimes things go wrong. But when they do, we need to be able to help support them through the rough times. That's why I'm pleased we're right alongside Step by Step."

Step By Step will run the centre – providing young people with accommodation, help with finding work or training opportunities – when the development is completed next Spring.

Meanwhile, Step By Step has now launched a £285,000 appeal to furnish and fit out the new centre, and is asking local individuals and businesses to ‘buy a brick’ or sponsor a bedroom.

• Buy a brick – by donating £10 to ‘buy’ one of the bricks used in the development, local people can help build up the fund to make sure young people who would otherwise struggle, to take advantage of the opportunities on offer.

• Sponsor a bedroom – by donating £2000, businesses will be able to name the apartment, perhaps in memory of a loved one or as a challenge for local firms to adopt a good cause.

If you’re interested in finding out how you can help, contact Leanne Grubb on 01252 327317 or leanne.grubb@stepbystep.org.uk