Tabor House set to find new home at St Catherine’s Church

A leading homeless project in Birmingham is set to open a brand new location in the prestigious St Catherine’s of Sienna Church in the new year. Tabor Living, which runs two Digbeth-based accommodation projects for rough sleepers in partnership with Father Hudson’s Care, has announced that the venture will see its capacity doubled with further support for the city’s homeless community introduced.

Tabor Living currently runs an eight-bedroom shelter and three-bedroom move-on facility. As the organisation reaches its fifth anniversary this autumn, it is set to relocate its emergency accommodation into part of the esteemed city centre parish church.  

Tabor Living, alongside Father Hudson’s Care, will be working with St Catherine’s of Sienna Church in the Horsefair area of central Birmingham, leasing part of the site to relocate and expand its services.  This will include emergency and move-on accommodation for up to 18 rough sleepers in need of support off the streets and people who have experienced or are at risk of homelessness.  New community, activity and meetings areas are being created as part of this exciting new project. 

As part of the move, Father Hudson’s Care is also working with the local parish and supporting them to improve and expand their facilities on site.

Speaking about the ambitious project Father Michael White, Chair of Tabor Living, said:

“St Catherine’s is a really exciting development for Tabor Living and will see us move our already successful projects under one roof. In addition, we’ll also expand our services and be able to provide even better support to those experiencing homelessness.

We have been liaising closely with St Catherine’s parish, who are extremely supportive of the project moving in, and we are now in the final stages of agreeing the lease, alongside the Archdiocese.”

Tabor Living and Father Hudson’s Care have already secured capital funding to bring the project to life, and Friel Homes has been awarded the contract following a tendering process.

Bill Friel, founder of the Walsall-based contractor, commented:

“Tabor Living offers something truly unique to Birmingham’s homeless community, welcoming people through the doors who would otherwise slip through the net due to their inability to access public funding. Tabor is an independent organisation and with the support of Father Hudson’s Care, has built a solid reputation for helping people who need it most.

I am really delighted that Friels has been awarded the contract as the team is passionate about bringing this project to life. St Catherine’s will start 2023 as a brand new hub, built around the solid foundations of the Catholic Church and its wonderful parish.”  

Since opening, both Tabor House and Tabor Cottage, have helped over 100 rough sleepers through interventions, signposting, and support. Working closely with the city’s homeless services, the volunteer-led organisation supports guests to move forward positively with their lives and away from the streets into employment, their own tenancies and independence.

Tabor Living prides itself on a strength-based mentoring approach, which sees the team focus on what people can do, not what they can’t. The organisation helps guests find both permanent accommodation and employment, with a 75% success rate to date.

Fundraising continues ahead of work starting at St Catherine’s this autumn. To support the project, including volunteering, visit www.taborliving.co.uk.