Birmingham, January 2024 — YMCA Heart of England would like to proudly announce a momentous achievement with the completion of Mary Court, a ground-breaking initiative aimed at providing move-on accommodation for those who have experienced homelessness. The 27 fully self-contained studio flats, developed by MORRO Partnerships and equipped with essential amenities, symbolises a commitment to fostering independence and stability. The project stands as a testament to resilience, collaboration, and a shared commitment to making a positive impact on our community.

27 new affordable move-on homes have been completed at Mary Court.

On the completion of the development, YMCA – Heart of England's CEO, Pauline Tomlinson, commented:

“We are so delighted that these 27 homes are now completed. 27 new homes for those who were previously homeless. 

This is a massive achievement for us at YMCA Heart of England and we are so pleased that we have been able to work with and alongside some key partners to deliver this vision.

It has been a challenging journey with initial contractors going into liquidation, with Covid and the additional costs for the build …but despite some of the setbacks our trustees and the wider team have been resilient in seeing this well-deserved project through to inception.

We believe that these flats are much more than bricks and mortar but are the resemblance of instilling hope for so many. The start of a successful and fulfilling life begins with a safe and secure place to be and we are so pleased to provide safe, secure accommodation for those most in need so they can 'live life in all its fullness.'

It is a good day when we can continue to say: 'we have provided homes for those who were homeless.”

Chris Timmins, Managing Director at MORRO Partnerships, said: “We are thrilled to have completed the development of 27 important homes here in Northfield, which are part of a fantastic initiative which we can all get behind.

“To have been the main contractor behind housing for people who were previously without it is enriching and rewarding.

“We are proud of this collaboration with YMCA Heart of England and wish the best of luck to those moving into their new homes as they begin the next chapter of their journey.”

Key Features of Mary Court

• 27 fully self-contained studio flats designed to foster independence.
• Full-sized kitchen area, WC/shower room, ample storage, and designated living and sleeping areas in each unit.
• Communal laundry facility for shared convenience.
• Unique architectural design creating a distinct, non-hostel atmosphere to signify progression.

Empowering Independence and Providing Hope: Mary Court is more than bricks and mortar; it is the embodiment of instilling hope, providing safe, secure accommodation for those most in need. The twenty-seven new homes will provide move on accommodation for those who were previously homeless helping them transition towards independent living.  

Acknowledgments: YMCA Heart of England extends gratitude to the project's contributors, with CEO Pauline Tomlinson stating, "We of course want to thank MORRO – the contractor, for the outstanding work completed. Our gratitude also goes to Heart of England Community Foundation and Homes England for their support and financial contributions, as well as Unity Trust Bank."

Tina Costello, Chief Executive of Heart of England Community Foundation, said: “Mary Court is a fantastic development which will make a real difference to the lives of those who have experienced homelessness in the Birmingham area.

“Our Building Better Lives programme was established to help deliver housing support for some of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable people across the West Midlands, and Mary Court is a project we are extremely proud to support as a key funder.

“We're passionate about supporting communities across the area to thrive, helping people lead happy, healthy and fulfilled lives, and we look forward to hearing how Mary Court develops in the future.”

Continuity of Support: The scheme management and tenancy support will be provided by dedicated housing and support professionals based at Magdalene Court, ensuring a seamless transition for tenants with regular and ongoing assistance provided.

About YMCA Heart of England:

YMCA Heart of England is an independent Christian charity working with people of all faiths and of none. It was formed following the merger of YMCA Birmingham and YMCA Coventry & Warwickshire and draws on a combined experience of 300 years to support local people in their communities with a wide range of services. YMCA Heart of England are proud to be affiliated to the national and international YMCA Movement, who provide advice, support and representation.

If you want to find out more, visit https://ymcaheartofengland.org.uk/

About the Heart of England Community Foundation:  

Heart of England Community Foundation is the leading, independent grantmaking foundation in the West Midlands and Warwickshire. Since 1995, we have proudly awarded over £35 million to over 7,000 great causes across the region. We believe in a fairer, happier and healthier Midlands - where everyone has equal access to opportunities, experiences genuine wellbeing, and enjoys a healthy and active life as part of their community. 

We work towards this by: 

• Supporting donors to establish charitable funds, contribute collectively, and share their expertise with us; 
• Providing funding to small charities and community organisations with grants to support communities to thrive; 
• Leading on critical local issues that impact our region and collaborating with partners to address them effectively; 
• Growing our endowment as a lasting resource for the wellbeing of our communities today and for the benefit of future generations 

For further details: https://www.heartofenglandcf.co.uk/

About MORRO Partnerships:

Previously named Jessup Partnerships for over 30 years, the developer has recently re-branded to MORRO Partnerships. Created on the solid foundations of its new purpose to be Better Tomorrow Makers, MORRO have developed a modern and digital-first brand that reflects its growth over the last year and its promise to continue building sustainable communities across the Midlands.

For further details visit https://morropartnerships.co.uk/ or follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MorroPartnerships or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/morropartnerships/.

For MORRO press information contact Ethan Henson, Unsworth Sugden, 0116 502 4047 / ethanh@unsworthsugden.co.uk and Hannah Elwell, Unsworth Sugden, 0116 247 1777 / hannah@unsworthsugden.co.uk

For YMCA - Heart of England press information, contact Maria Elena Roselli, Birmingham, 07973686953, elena.roselli@ymcaheartofengland.org.uk