Church Project 2022-3

Building4Hope

There is such a need out there. Young people’s lives are being ruined as we speak but Building 4 Hope is working, lives are being transformed and it’s an incredible privilege to be part of it.
Kevin Byrne – AMCIPD, MinstLM (Founder of Building4Hope).

The church project 2022-3 was to support Building4Hope. This is a small local charity in Shirley, set up in 2017, to offer a new beginning to disadvantaged and vulnerable young adults aged 16-25. Their primary focus is on disadvantaged young people who are no longer in the education system, not working or being trained for work., living in and around Birmingham and Solihull. Building4Hope is focused on candidates who generally have few academic qualifications and low self esteem. It gives them the opportunity to gain training and education which they would otherwise not be able to access.

Kevin Byrne set up Building4Hope after working for many years in a mainstream college as a head of school. He saw many individuals struggle to complete their courses and many more prevented from applying as they did not meet the college’s entry requirements. Many students come with learning barriers, personal issues and family situations which impact on their ability to engage with any form of education.

The courses focus on the skills needed in the construction industry, but the lecturers look beyond these skills, supporting their students in their studies, personal life and on into their careers. At the time of the project, Building4Hope wass in a position to train 20 students per year but as the charity’s reputation has grown, so have the list of referrals and waiting list of learners. Their aim was then to expand to 30 students per year.