Comtechsa: Projects: 2004-2005: Refugee Action

Projects: 2004-2005

Refugee Action

34 Princes Rd, Liverpool, L8 1TH

Service:
Feasibility

Project:
To re-organise the ground floor, in particular of 64 Mount Pleasant, for Refugee Action's needs.

General Information:
Refugee Action is an independent national charity that enables refugees to build new lives in the UK. We provide practical advice and assistance for newly arrived asylum seekers and long-term commitment to their settlement through community development work.
The new premises, which is a listed building, does not provide any suitable interviewing or waiting areas.

Clients Needs:
The ground floor is the obvious place to use for interviewing. As well as interview rooms, toilets and waiting areas are required. Because of the amount of time that some clients may have to spend at the centre, it is thought advisable to include a prayer room. We propose that new partitions stop short of the ornate ceiling to avoid damage to it.
Level access arrangements are proposed and the proposed internal arrangement is to be compatible with wheelchair access, but in the first instance the clients limited budget does not permit us to install the ramp. For the longer term, a lift serving all floors would be preferable, but whether the cost and damage to the listed building will ever be justifiable remains to be seen.

Funding:
Refugee Action have very limited funds to modify the premises for their use.

Completion:
Refugee Action need to have premises ready to move into when their present space is cleared for redevelopment: expected late summer 2004.