Site Visit ...

Anne and Louise enjoying a site visit to see progress. All still on programme

A view from the flat roof of the existing building ...

Roof trusses being installed on the new counselling building.

The new build is now 3 days ahead ...

Roof trusses delivered 3 days early and some already installed but you cannot see them. The ones you can see are stored waiting to be installed.

Asbestos removed from the first floor and ready for Bristol Together ..

For those of you who are interested this is the underside of the first floor flat ceiling/roof but with the asbestos boards now safely removed. This was built in the late 1950's and is interesting as it is a construction method rarely seen here but often used in a similar form in Europe. 

Looking back into the old flat from the new opening into a large storage area above the old stage.

Inside the counselling corridor downstairs ....

Looking along corridor towards new Youth Counselling Room

Looking back down corridor towards the stairs and access

Up to first floor level ...

The walls for the new counselling rooms are now up to underside of the first floor.

Work is progressing well after a bit of a delay and the contractor is pretty much back on programme. The floor joists have been delivered to site and will be put up this week. The photo shows the walls on the new counselling rooms up to first floor level and a little beyond for the wall at the front.

Inside the old building ...

Waiting room new concrete ground floor and floor joists for first floor area all installed.

Main entrance corridor floor lowered and concrete slab cast.

Walls coming up ...

Ground floor blockwork is well under way.

Counselling Rooms taking shape ....

Can you see what it is yet ...

Foundations are in and the blockwork has started for the 4 ground floor counselling rooms.

Working with Bristol Together to create the first floor Training and support areas ....

First floor flat stripped out ready to start refurbishment.

Redeveloping and extending the part of St Andrews Methodist Church that we purchased back in May gives us a great opportunity not only to secure new premises for ourselves that will enable us to further develop our counselling and training in a sustainable way, but also the opportunity to work with other charities and community organisations.

We have been talking in the last few months with Bristol Together. Bristol Together CIC was launched in October 2011 as a social business; they buy refurbish and sell empty properties. Their aim is to create full-time jobs for people who have been in prison.

A criminal record can be a huge obstacle to securing employment. Bristol Together give people another chance; providing training and support through mentors dedicated to seeing employees succeed.

Network is going to employ Bristol Together to refurbish the first floor flat for part of our Training and Support accommodation. We are also hoping to work with them to tidy up the site and create the garden once the main contractor has left site.

We are still in the process of raising the funds to make this all happen. One aspect of this is the Big Give Christmas Challenge where we will be asking you all to support us with online donations for the project between 28th November – 5th December you can find out more about our project and donating here

Stage opening sealed up floors progressing ....

No more pantomimes here ... the proscenium arch has now been infilled and this means that the church areas and our building works are now properly separated.

The proscenium arch infilled and getting ready to cast the floor slab in the Waiting Room and Main Office.

Floor level reduced in the corridor to make sure all the ground floor is accessible.