Dean, 44, is currently working on the refurbishment of a donated property in Swansea as part of a placement with Cii Construction’s Community Impact Initiative. The project, run in partnership with homelessness charity The Wallich, offers people with lived experience of homelessness the chance to gain new skills and rebuild confidence through hands-on work.
“I used to be a roofer,” said Dean. “But after everything, I’ve been looking for a way to get back into working in the trades and seeing where it takes me. This has been great just to get back into a routine and get a bit more confidence.”
Dean quickly became a valued member of the team, taking on tasks from wall repairs to garden clearance. His tutor, Rajesh Joshi, said:
“From day one, Dean got stuck into the work. Our team were impressed with his attitude and willingness to learn. Over the course of the placement, he built his confidence, developed new skills, and left with a clearer idea of what he’d like to do next.”
The house Dean is helping to renovate is one of two donated to The Wallich by retired professors Valerie and Chris Norris. The couple, aged 71 and 77, decided to gift the properties after reassessing their finances and seeing the charity’s CEO speak on television.
“We knew how much help homeless people need,” said Valerie. “We hit upon the audacious idea of buying a house for those in need… We’re especially impressed that the Community Impact Initiative will undertake some of the refurbishment work, thereby doubling its beneficial effect.”
The homes will become part of The Wallich’s Swansea ‘Alternative to Bed and Breakfast Accommodation’ (ABBA) scheme, which provides short-term emergency housing for people experiencing homelessness.
With temporary accommodation in short supply across Wales, ABBA offers a more stable and dignified alternative to traditional B&B placements, helping residents transition into permanent housing.
Mike Bobbett, Director of Business Innovation at The Wallich, said:
“This project is the perfect example of a community response to homelessness. From the generosity of providing bricks and mortar by Val and Chris, to using the refurbishment as an opportunity for social mobility, to using the housing to tackle Wales’s housing crisis.
Dean is an inspiration and has been working so hard with us to move forward into his next chapter. This is what it’s all about.”
To learn more about The Wallich’s work, visit thewallich.com.
