22 Jun 2010

10 June was an exciting day for Lakehouse; it heralded the launch of Lakehouse's flagship Building Lives Training Academy at Arlington House, Camden's hostel for the homeless. Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, officially opened the newly refurbished hostel, which now provides 3000m square of social enterprise and training space, together with 35 flats for intermediate rent and 95 high quality units for homeless people. 

The academy will offer construction and employability training to support 100 individuals a year with a City and Guilds qualification in maintenance, as well as provision of 'green skills' and a range of short courses for many others. Lakehouse has secured long term partner Gerda Security, to provide some of the training.

Boris Johnson took a tour of the facilities, starting with the Building Lives Training Academy, officially opening the fantastic new space by signing a commemorative wall, much to the excitement of press and TV reporters, and securing primetime TV slots for Lakehouse later that day.

Artist Tracey Emin and Baroness Julia Neuberger, a social reformer and Chair of One Housing Group's Board, also visited the academy, signing the wall, and mingling with apprentices and trainees who were keen to demonstrate some of the skills they have learned.

Kevin Beirne, Group Director of Housing Care and Support at One Housing Group, said "Arlington will be an iconic scheme with real 'wow' factor that will transform the UK's approach to homelessness, housing need and employment for people who have had difficulty accessing jobs. We are delighted to have brought Lakehouse on board and very much look forward to working with them to positively impact the lives of Arlington residents and to benefit the local community as a whole."

For further details http://www.onehousinggroup.co.uk/Document.aspx?docId=d88b67ea-e538-422d-b3aa-7810788f0345