SHOP. EXPLORE. BE HAPPY
The Whitehaven Foyer
Whitehaven Foyer provides accommodation for young people. There are 19 units available ranging from shared flats to self-contained accommodation. These flats are located over 3 floors and each flat has its own bedroom, bathroom and living space, some have their own kitchen and others have access to a well-equipped communal kitchen as well as free Wi-Fi.
Opened on 10th April 2017 by HRH Prince Charles
On Monday 10th April, Impact Housing, Howgill Family Centre and the Whitehaven Foyer Company welcomed His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales to officially open the Whitehaven Foyer, 44 Irish Street, Whitehaven.
The Whitehaven Foyer building is the former home of the YMCA in Whitehaven. The building is of significant historic importance and the location, at the southern end of the town’s historic market place, is a key feature of Whitehaven’s Georgian landscape. The building was constructed sometime around 1713 by a local merchant, James Milham, when the town was becoming established by the Lowther family, the local landowner, as a significant and important port and trading centre.
The Whitehaven Foyer today provides accommodation for young people who need some help to move into employment or training and, offices, meeting rooms and training facilities for young people, employers and other local organisations and charities. The Foyer consists of a new build block of flats and the conversion of one of Whitehaven’s oldest and most iconic buildings.
On the 10th, H.R.H. toured the Foyer, meeting a wide range of partners, finding out about the heritage of the project, the construction and development of the building, viewing our new website and photography by Lakes College students and speaking to staff from both organisations about their work with the local community and Young People. He also met 3 of our residents and toured a flat. It was such a fantastic day and a great pleasure to ask His Royal Highness to unveil the opening plaque.
The Whitehaven Foyer Company is a Charity established in 2012, to develop and run West Cumbria’s first Foyer. It was set up by two local organisations, Impact Housing Association and Howgill Family Centre. As local organisations they saw the need for such a facility and together have the skills and experience to make this happen.
Work on site started on Monday 21st July 2014. The modern accommodation phase was completed in February 2016, with the refurbished historic building being completed on the 26th February 2017. The project was made possible due to funding from Copeland Community Fund, the Townscape Heritage Initiative, Britain’s Energy Coast, Cumbria County Council, the Homes and Communities Agency, Cumbria Community Foundation, Empty Homes funding, Francis C Scott Trust, Hadfield Trust, Garfield Weston Foundation, Henry Smith Charity, Howgill Family Centre and Impact Housing.
The works to refurbish the existing building were undertaken with the aim of retaining as much of the existing features of the building as possible, and using traditional methods and materials to restore the building. Materials such as lime plaster were used for the internal and external wall finishes, local slate was used on the roof, original roof and floor timbers were retained and repaired, and new replacement items such as the windows were made to replicate the traditional sliding sash style.
Whitehaven Foyer
As a young person living at Whitehaven Foyer, you will meet regularly with experienced staff who will be able to help you with lots of things to enable you to achieve success. Click on Apply for Accommodation for more details on eligibility criteria. The flats are brand new and finished to an extremely high standard. All of the non-supported accommodation has its own kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and living space. The supported accommodation varies from a room in a shared flat to a fully self-contained flat. All flats have access to free Wi-Fi and laundry facilities. With controlled access to the flats via a “fob” system, CCTV and night staff on site – a safe and secure environment is top priority.
Why not visit our other sites in Cumbria: Eden Rural Foyer and South Lakes Foyer
Opportunities and Goals
Whatever is important to you - we will help you achieve your goals! You will be able to explore ideas, uncover hidden talents and develop your ambitions. We work very closely with a range of agencies and partners to provide a great service and ensure you have access to what you need.You will be encouraged to take responsibility for your own actions and development. We have an excellent in-house tenancy programme that you will be required to take part in. This will give you the opportunity to learn and develop your skills in respect of managing your own home and give you some skills to deal with and influence visitors.
