Work has started on an extention at The Ark homeless shelter in Birkenhead

Oct 7 2009 by Carrie Catterall, Birkenhead News

WORK has finally started on extending a homeless shelter in Birkenhead.

The £300,000 extension on Mary Cole House, Sandford Street, will be complete in January next year and will be utilised as a training centre in early February.

The house, which is run by the Wirral Churches’ Ark Project, already provides beds for 25 homeless people, but the building work will soon allow them to offer much more.

Bob Jarvis, finance and development manager for the Ark, said: “The 80 square metre extension will mainly be used for training, although its design allows it to be flexible.

“Training and education are now expected from homeless hostels.”

The extension, on land given to the charity by Wirral Council, is being built by JFW Construction, of New Ferry.

One of its novel features will be an eco friendly roof with a moss surface to reduce rainwater run-off.

Bob said: “We have been raising the money for this extension for the last two years and we want to thank everyone who contributed.

“It’s been a long slog, but we’re finally there.”