The Lewisham Project

Lewisham Project...

During the Easter of 2008 15 young people become Self Builders for the Beechmont Close Community Self Build Project. There are enough units for 10 Self Builders.

• 4 x two bedroom flats
• 6 x one bedroom flats.

Five of these 15 were waiting list places in the unfortunate event that any of the first ten had to leave the project.

The first section of their education was to give them all taster courses in construction as most of them had little to no dealings with the trades. This course is called Basic Construction Occupations (BCO). This is highly recommended as the idea and the reality of most trades can be two very different things. The 15 Self Builders studied four of the main trades.

• Carpentry and Joinery
• Bricklaying
• Plastering
• Painting and Decorating.

All of the Self Builders passed these qualifications, over 80 % of them passed with credits.

Due to personal circumstances five of the Self Builders had to leave the project over the first period of studying the BCO. This meant ten Self Builders were still on the project. The September term saw the start of these ten Self Builders studying for Foundation Construction Awards (FCA). Once work commences on site the FCA’s will work their way into NVQ qualifications. NVQ Qualifications require the student to be working specifically within that particular area of the trades.

These are the trades that the Self Builders choose.

• Carpentry and Joinery = 4 Self Builders
• Painting and Decorating = 3 Self Builders
• Bricklaying = 1 Self Builder
• Plumbing = 1 Self Builder

One of the Self Builders had her second baby in September 2008; she will be completing some work experience in a relevant field until she is able to start her Electricians course in September 2009 and plans to start on site along side her fellow Self Builders.

Interestingly we have 5 women and 5 men partaking in the project which creates a very healthy balance of characters.

Three of the Self Builders have already completed their CSCS (Health and Safety) cards which is an essential part to working on site. The other seven Self Builders will complete their cards before the Easter break.

All of the students have settled into the learning process at college, some far more easily than others. Two of the Self Builders have been nominated as student representatives for their class forms.

Together as a group, along with 3 staff members, a residential trip has been planned for after the Easter Break 2009. This will most likely take place at Hindleap Warren in East Grinstead which is a teambuilding outdoor centre. These trips help cement relationships between the group and have proved to be a very successful part of all projects in the past.

Before Christmas 2008, interviews took place to fill the 5 waiting list places. Only one candidate showed the qualities required to join the project. Waiting list places will be advertised soon.

Our aim is to be on site March time 2009 but due to the transfer of the land not being completed as yet we still are unable to give a firm date.

Until that time the Self Builders continue to work hard at college and grow amongst themselves individually and as a team.