New premises enables Shrewsbury Ark to thrive following grant funding

Following years of saving and a successful Shropshire Council grant application, The Shrewsbury Ark has been able to relocate to new premises to continue their support services for vulnerable and homeless people in Shropshire.

Image: The Shrewsbury Ark has relocated to former Rock and Fountain pub, Shrewsbury.

The Shrewsbury Ark, a charity which relies on grants and donations to provide free of charge services, was one of fourteen successful applicants to the community asset grant scheme – a funding pot set up to support local community organisations recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Together with generous donations, the grant funding allowed the charity to purchase The Rock and Fountain pub in Castle Foregate, just a few doors up the road from their old premises. The Shrewsbury Ark had wanted to relocate for several years, primarily due to outgrowing its former property.

The move has enabled the Ark to provide a new, warm, and welcoming refuge for people in need or distress and due to its bigger size, the new space will be able to deliver more of their essential services and continue the great work they do.

The larger premises also means the Shrewsbury Ark can extend their offering of services for clients. This includes plans to design and fit a teaching kitchen, where people can learn to cook for themselves and to create an outdoor courtyard area, where people can focus on improving their physical and mental wellbeing.

Image: clients & volunteers at The Shrewsbury Ark

The relocation has increased the dining area, where volunteers serve up hot meals, teas and coffees for over fifty people at one time. There is also now a dedicated quiet area, a small library, and a creative space for those who wish to get involved in arts and craft activities.

Additional facilities in the new premises also include a GP treatment room, therapy rooms, private meeting spaces, a laundry room and shower facilities.

Emily Bell, Chair of The Shrewsbury Ark said: –

 “We offer support to a wide range of vulnerable people living in our community.  This funding, together with many other generous donations, has enabled the Ark to provide a welcoming, safe place, where our staff and volunteers, along with partner organisations, can offer our clients the support that they need not only to survive, but also to move on with their lives.”

Cecilia Motley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health (Integrated Care System) and communities, said: –

“The work of the Shrewsbury Ark is inspirational. I am so pleased to hear that Shropshire Council grant funding has positively impacted the work they do which will benefit all of the community.”  

Nat Green, Shropshire Council councillor for Quarry and Coton Hill said: –

“Rough sleeping becomes everyone’s problem and hopefully this facility will go a long way to being the answer in Shrewsbury.”