Gateshead-based national contractor Meldrum Group come to the rescue to replace decrepit windows of our mother and baby homeless project.
The kindness of Meldrum Group means this specialist work to replace two of the windows of our Elizabeth House project which would have cost in excess of £4,000, has been generously completed free of charge.
Urgent work
Replacing the windows required the use of expensive, specially-manufactured timber frames and custom glass due to regulations on the preservation of the building.
The two unique, circular port-hole style windows had deteriorated so much that one of the bedrooms had to be closed entirely in October 2023.
Claire, a Senior Support Worker at Elizabeth House, explained: ‘We have been unable to use one of the rooms for over 3 months now due to the damage of these windows, as they have caused such a health and safety risk.
‘Closing a room has had a significant impact on the project as we still have vulnerable women and children being referred for our support regularly. We are all so thrilled to be able to have the room available again and we already have people ready to move in as soon as the work is completed.
‘Elizabeth House staff, are overwhelmed with the kindness and generosity of the Meldrum Group for organising and replacing the circular windows.’
As a Christian response to homelessness, we exist to reignite hope and a future for people experiencing homelessness across the areas we work including the North East, London and Peterborough. Part of the ‘Home’ programme, Elizabeth House provides supported accommodation for vulnerable young mothers and their babies in Gateshead.
Continued support from a valued partner
Meldrum Group is a vibrant, dynamic and innovative company. Through their group of companies they are able to offer clients a fully integrated service; from planning and designing, to the civil engineering and construction of projects.
Ben Lambert, Customer Care Manger at Meldrum, explained: “When we heard about Oasis’s predicament and the loss of a much-needed room, we were only too happy to support. We couldn’t walk away from their situation, young mothers in need of space to raise their children and a heritage building that needed our specialist attention.
“There aren’t many Heritage Approved Contractors in the area that could replace the windows and we knew there were service users who need that vital space as soon as possible. Donating our time and materials free of charge has meant Oasis have been able to get the room fully functional and offer that safe space to a young mother and her children.
“Our charitable arm, Meldrum Foundation, has worked closely with Oasis for a number of years and we’re thrilled to be able to support such an amazing and worthy charity.”
Meldrum Group have been one of our key corporate partners for the past three years. Recently they have been a key supporter of the Giving a Home Christmas appeal, helping to raise in excess of £309,000 across 3 years to support people experiencing homelessness.
In addition, Meldrum staff have volunteered by gathering toiletries, food, and clothes for the people who come through our doors, and taken on a variety of physical fundraising challenges like the Great North Run and Hardmoors 55-Mile Ultra Marathon.