Ramsey refurb is just the job for young trainees

Ramsey Refurb partners

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Four unemployed trainees started work on refurbishing a property on Ramsey Street in February 2013 and together they worked to totally renovate the building.

Work completed at the house included re-plastering, wiring, decorating and landscaping. Whilst carrying out the refurbishment work the trainees have gained a Level 1 Building Craft Occupations qualification, their CSCS cards and valuable work experience. 

John Marsland, aged 23 and from Castleton, is one of the trainees who has taken part in the scheme. John commented: “This housing refurbishment has improved my knowledge of building trades and polished up my skills. I’ve done a lot of the work including all the tiling throughout the house. It’s been an enjoyable time and hopefully useful experience for my career.”

The Housing Refurbishment programme is delivered by Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale in partnership with Rochdale Council Strategic Housing and Rochdale Boroughwide Housing.

Across Rochdale Borough there are currently around 3,700 empty homes, many of which are falling into a state of disrepair. With an increase in the level of homelessness and house building at an all-time low, this programme aims to increase affordable housing within the borough.

Funding for this programme has been gained from the Department for Communities and Local Government’s Empty Homes Community Grants Programme.

Andrew Toft, RBH Director of Services for Neighbourhoods, said: “RBH is proud to be a partner in this scheme, in our role in managing these much needed quality homes for local people. The work carried out on the Ramsey Place house has enabled the unemployed young people to gain skills that will stand them in good stead in the future.”

Councillor Sultan Ali, Rochdale MBC Portfolio Holder for Strategic Housing: “This is an exciting and interesting initiative that will not only give on the job training to young tradesmen but also bring family homes back into use, which at this particularly difficult time for many families in Britain cannot be a bad thing.”

Teresa Jennings, Operations Director at Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale, added: “This is the second property completed under our voids programme. All the properties will be let to local people on an affordable rent basis. We are keen to hear from landlords in Rochdale who might have empty properties that could be included in our programme.”