Sue Lambert Trust moves back into refurbished home

The Sue Lambert Trust, a Norfolk based charity which provides support for survivors of sexual abuse, has moved back into its headquarters on Rouen Road, Norwich, after the work to upgrade the facilities has been completed. The trust had previously been working from a highly unsuitable space in a basement on Thorpe Road before moving to their current building in 2013. Since then, the use of the service has increased greatly, putting pressure on the four available counselling rooms.

The project was undertaken with AECOM through Norfolk ProHelp, a network of professional firms which provide professional and strategic support, free of charge, to voluntary and community groups in their local area. The new design has made better use of the space within the building, with financial input again provided by AECOM.  The second phase of work has provided the Trust with improved office space, private staff 1:1 space, an additional counselling room and a large training room, providing not only more space for counselling and other client work, but also the facilities to support and train staff and volunteers.

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“The work has created the space that the Trust needs to further the quality service they were already providing. The new counselling rooms created are each different in character and have given the Trust a range of rooms, allowing different counsellors and clients to work in the space that best suits their needs.” Kirstin Aitken, Project Architect.

“The support we received from everybody involved in the project has been invaluable – Kirstin was able to understand what was needed and was able to come up with plans which made the best possible use of the space to meet our needs.  We are especially grateful to our staff, volunteers and clients for their hard work and patience, and also to project manager Simon Evans and builder, James Kimbley. We are absolutely thrilled with the results, and our clients are full of praise for what has been achieved.” Mette Ohrvik, SLT CEO

The project is one of a number of probono community projects that LSI has completed through Norfolk ProHelp. The practice’s commitment to its local community has been recognised through an Award for Responsible Business at the 2015 Business in the Community Awards and is currently the only business in the East of England to hold the prestigious Business in the Community CommunityMark accreditation.

“Norfolk ProHelp does an excellent job of connecting likeminded professionals with clients that can really benefit from their support. Through ProHelp we get the opportunity to deliver projects that can make a real difference for great charities like the Sue Lambert Trust which gives us a huge sense of pride. To receive recognition for that work in the form of awards, although not the reason why we do it, is a fantastic bonus.” Ben Goode, Partner at LSI Architects

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