This summer will see long-standing efforts to deliver Embassy Village – a purpose-built community for Manchester city region’s homeless and vulnerable men – finally paying off. It comes as the pro-bono team walked away with the ‘Social Impact Initiative of the Year’ gong at the national RESI Awards 2024.
The coveted property award was the culmination of years of planning and prep work by the Embassy charity, who are delivering the first-of-its-kind vision in partnership with Peel Waters and Capital&Centric, backed by a city-wide expert team who have given their services for free.
Once complete, Embassy Village will transform the site below 22 railway arches in Manchester on land which has been provided by Peel Waters. Located adjacent to the Bridgewater Canal and River Irwell, Embassy Village will create a community of 40 new homes with wrap-around support for those who need it most.
With completion expected for 2025, Embassy Village will feature high-quality homes, a village hall and outdoor green spaces, including mini allotments to grow vegetables and a multi-use sports area to enrich residents’ lives and aid in their progress.
The support will include a community hub where residents will be able to undertake training and mentoring and chat with others, and support workers will ensure each resident is given six hours a week of dedicated time. Residents will also be provided with the life skills they’ll need to move forward such as shopping and budgeting, cooking, how to manage a home, interview prep and help to apply for jobs.
Thanks to recent funding, the first phase of the village can now begin, and in crowning the project a winner at the RESI awards, judges described it as an innovative idea with commitment from across the industry to address homelessness and empower residents.
Sid Williams of Embassy said: “Once open Embassy Village will provide homes, support and stability for people when they need it most. Our aim is for it to be a community where residents, with support, can re-build their lives and break the cycle of homelessness that people so often get trapped in.
“The national award really belongs to the many organisations and individuals who have tirelessly supported is to get to this point – whether making donations or giving up their time and services. It was the unexpected boost we needed to get us across the starting line.”
Anyone wanting to donate time, money or services, can do so here.