To create a community charity shop with day services and supported living, benefiting local adults with additional needs by building, homes, independence, skills, wellbeing and employment pathways.
Estimated Cost
£1,500,000
To create a community charity shop with day services and supported living, benefiting local adults with additional needs by building independence, skills, wellbeing and employment pathways. Why is your project important for your community? Community Integrated Care has been gifted the property at 30 High Street, Wick, and proposes to redevelop it into a charity‑led community hub comprising a charity shop, inclusive day‑opportunity provision, and supported living accommodation for adults with care and support needs. The ground floor will be developed into a purpose‑built charity shop providing meaningful volunteering and employability opportunities for people with additional support needs. With tailored, on‑site support, individuals will develop work‑related skills, confidence, and daily routines while engaging positively with the wider community. Alongside retail activity, the space will host flexible, inclusive day‑opportunity provision as an alternative to traditional day services, helping to reduce social isolation and support wellbeing. The upper floors will be redeveloped into approximately seven to eight self‑contained supported living flats. These homes will enable people to live as independently as possible within their local community, supporting those transitioning from unsuitable housing or experiencing delayed discharge from hospital. The project directly aligns with the Wick Area Place Plan by regenerating a long‑vacant town‑centre site, improving the High Street environment, delivering mixed‑use development, increasing inclusive housing supply, and addressing community wellbeing and employability priorities. We are seeking grant funding for Phase 1 design and planning, which is essential to unlock future capital investment. Funding will enable us to appoint an experienced architect, develop designs to planning stage, work collaboratively with Social Work, NHS partners and the Community Fund, and establish a robust, financially sustainable development plan. Three competitive architectural quotes have been obtained. Seeking funding for £20,000. This proposal significantly enhances social value compared to the site’s previous commercial planning consent, delivering a service currently absent in Caithness and responding directly to identified local need. What positive impact will your project have? The project will deliver substantial social, economic and community benefits. Redevelopment of a prominent vacant site will improve the appearance, activity and vitality of Wick High Street, transforming an eyesore into a welcoming and accessible community asset. The charity shop will provide affordable goods, support reuse and recycling, and contribute to a more sustainable local economy. A key outcome is the creation of meaningful employability and inclusive day‑opportunity provision for people supported by Community Integrated Care and partner agencies, with referrals also supported through NHS services. Participants will gain practical experience, transferable skills, confidence and social connections, reducing isolation and supporting greater independence. The supported living accommodation will provide high‑quality homes for people requiring assistance to live independently, including those at risk of prolonged hospital stays or unsuitable housing. Secure tenancies within the community will improve wellbeing, promote independence and help reduce pressure on health and social care services. Overall, the project will strengthen community cohesion, support inclusion, and deliver long‑term regeneration benefits while filling a gap in provision currently unmet across the Caithness area. What key milestones have you achieved and what are your next steps? Milestones achieved: Community support evidenced through engagement led by Wick Community Development Trust, including local media coverage/ Site secured through gifting of 30 High Street /Early engagement with NHS Highland and Social Work confirming local need and strategic support /3 competitive architectural quotes, confirming feasibility. Community feedback has been positive, with strong support for redeveloping the site addressing poor visual impact and deliver both community and housing benefits. National and local evidence highlights significant barriers to employment and support for people with learning disabilities, with limited provision in Caithness. NHS Highland has confirmed a lack of forward‑planning options for individuals with additional needs, reinforcing the importance of this project. Next steps: Secure Phase 1 funding/ Appoint design team/ Progress designs to planning submission /No other funding applications have yet been submitted, as this request represents the essential first phase. Anticipated start and end dates The project is anticipated to run from July 2026 to July 2028, with key milestones as follows: July 2026: Architect appointed/ Sept–Oct 2026: Final designs agreed with partners /Dec 2026: Planning application submitted /Early 2027–Mid 2028: Planning, detailed design and construction /July 2028: Project completion and opening This phased approach ensures strong collaboration, quality delivery and long‑term sustainability.
.png)
Most voted