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<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The BBC has launched a campaign to encourage construction firms to help military veterans, it has been reported.<\/p>\n
It asked industry bosses to help with a charity push to bring empty homes back into use in Manchester for military veterans.<\/p>\n
The project aims to improve the street scene to provide disabled access and disabled parking, revamp all 62 properties and refurbish eight of the 25 empty homes on the streets.<\/p>\n
The refurbishments will create three larger adapted residential homes for veterans and their families, one standard size property and a veteran walk-in support and advice centre – all by the end of September.<\/p>\n
In addition, the second phrase of the project will see the remaining 17 empty properties refurbished by the charity Haig Housing. Completed properties will offer opportunities for veterans to get on the housing ladder with options including shared equity, discount purchase and rent to buy.<\/p>\n
Speaking about the development, councillor Bernard Priest, deputy leader of Manchester City Council, said: "This is an inspiring project that is bringing together a wide-ranging selection of construction and building specialists to help support veterans into suitable accommodation – and we would urge anyone who has building experience to get in touch and get involved."<\/p>\n
Many UK construction firms have already pledged to support British troops, with Kier, ISG, Keepmoat, Mears, Rowlinsons, Wates Living Space and Willmott Dixon among the many that have signed up.<\/p>\n
The project will be filmed for the DIY SOS series. A team from the BBC DIY SOS team paid a visit to Manchester to meet organisations who want to be part of the project.<\/p>\n
Nick Knowles, the BBC DIY SOS presenter, said: “We’d love to get local trades involved. This is a massive project – our biggest yet – and we really need your help.
“We especially need special joiners and timber frame experts, kitchen fitters and carpet and flooring fitters. Come and join us. It’ll be really worthwhile and a lot of fun.”
A Trades Day was held in east Manchester on August 20th.<\/p>\n
The aim is to create a veteran’s housing community within the existing community, with the charity Walking for the Wounded responsible for running an advice centre, which will have a private space for therapy and counselling.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, training and employment opportunities will be created for veterans and existing residents.<\/p>\n
Edward Parker, chief executive and Co-founder of Walking With The Wounded, said: "For Walking With The Wounded the DIY SOS build is the start of a long-term project to support Manchester’s veteran community. Working with partners on the build and other North West businesses we will deliver sustainable, valued employment to thousands of the ex-service wounded community over the next ten years to enshrine the legacy of the build."<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The BBC has launched a campaign to encourage construction firms to help military veterans, it has been reported. It asked industry bosses to help with a charity push to bring empty homes back into use in Manchester for military veterans. The project aims to improve the street scene to provide disabled access and disabled parking, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false,"raw":"The BBC has launched a campaign to encourage construction firms to help military veterans, it has been reported.It asked industry bosses to help with a charity push to bring empty ... "},"author":1,"featured_media":3510,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n