Last year we purchased Emmaus Bradford’s first community building: Pollard House.
The building, which was formerly a care home, will eventually provide up to 27 formerly homeless people with a place to live for as long as they need it. There are currently 18 rooms in phase one of the refurbishment, with the aim of growing the number to a total of 27 rooms.
Over the last 12 months, work has been underway to renovate the property, with several areas having had a changing-rooms-worthy makeover, going from unliveable to almost move-in ready.
Pollard house has also had a new boiler fitted, new flooring in some areas, and a community manager room with a kitchenette added. Furniture from Emmaus Bradford’s charity shops has been used in rooms and some pieces have been upcycled. Other initiatives have also been undertaken to ensure health and safety standards are met.
Emmaus Bradford Trustee, Janette Ball said: “There have been stumbling blocks along the way, but with a recent big push, we will be ready to be able to take in more companions soon, as the progress is very visible.
Several volunteers and trustees deserve a big thank you for their continued help and support. They share the aim of giving previously homeless people a chance of stability, support, warmth, comfort, and hope for the future.
The transformation of each completed room is making a big difference to Pollard House, although there is still plenty of work to keep us all occupied.”
Dining room in progress
Finished dining room
Emmaus Bradford would like to say a huge thanks to Bradford Rotary Club for all their dedication and hard work so far on this project.
Grahame Beattie, Community Manager of Emmaus Bradford said: “We’re extremely grateful to all the volunteers and volunteering parties who’ve helped us around Pollard House over the past 13 months. Every one of them has contributed towards helping Emmaus Bradford to end homelessness.
There’s plenty more to be done, though, so please get in touch if you can offer some time or if your employer would like to arrange a team volunteering day. Regular and one-off volunteers welcome.”
If you would like to get involved please contact community manager, Grahame Beattie on graham@emmausbradford.org.uk or 07784 355735.