YMCA Cornwall has built 20 new self-contained supported flats in Penzance for vulnerable young people. Our management team and trustees, motivated by the rising national trend of youth homelessness and to address our waiting list (on average 35 young people), made the decision to convert our old, obsolete gymnasium and backpackers’ accommodation into 20 new self-contained flats to add to the 28 on site and the move-on flats we manage.
All 20 flats are being built by our maintenance team who have a great deal of experience between them and are skilled in construction, electrical installation and plumbing. The project was divided into manageable phases to allow time to raise funds from charitable trusts and social investment.
Phase 1, Top Floor: 6 flats occupied in spring 2017
Phase 2, Ground Floor: 7 flats occupied in summer 2018
Phase 3, First Floor: 7 flats completed and occupied in 2021
Conversion Gallery
Original Sports Hall, September 2017
Foundations laid, January 2018
Floor panels, wall joists, April 2018
Ceiling joists, April 2018.
New windows installed, May 2018
Electrics and plumbing, June 2018
New boiler, June 2018
New electricity supply, June 2018.
Corridor and flat plastered, June 2018
Flat 14 kitchen, July 2018
Painting Flat 14, July 2018
Resident in finished flat
