Transforming Spaces, Changing Lives: Making It Out at Moulsecoomb Place
Seven months ago, East Brighton Trust received the keys to our new home at the iconic and historic Moulsecoomb Place; a beautiful building, rich in character that, at the time, was in need of a little TLC.
Despite its stunning original features and solid structure, the interiors needed quite a bit of attention; painting, decorating, carpentry and restoration work to truly bring the space to life.
That’s when we met the incredible team from Making it Out.
Established about seven years ago, Making it Out provides transitional support for people moving on from prison, homelessness and addiction, creating opportunities to connect with others, engage in purposeful projects, and work towards a more secure and positive future. Its services include mentoring, practical support, and signposting to further resources.
After seeing the outstanding work that Making it Out had carried out at both Brighton Table Tennis Club venues and The Fitzherbert Hub, we were keen to collaborate and bring them on board at Moulsecoomb Place.
As our community space and commercial kitchen are reaching the final stages of their impressive Making it Out revamp, it’s inspiring to see the transformation taking shape each day. Since May, our manor house entrance has been flawlessly repainted by their talented and reliable painting and decorating team, while their expert carpentry has enhanced both accessibility and security. The offices, now buzzing with organisations and charities, have been refreshed and given the care and attention they’ve long deserved.
One thing that has been evident from the start is the team’s dedication to their work, and it was great to chat with Making It Out’s Jay; a highly skilled carpenter, versatile interior painter, and heritage renovation expert.
Jay joined as a volunteer two weeks before the first lockdown in 2020 which he described as: “not the best timing.”
At the end of the first lockdown, Jay and CEO Mark were asked to go and look at a derelict 16th century barn near Steyning which needed significant restoration work, including the roof. With Jay’s extensive construction and heritage expertise, the MIO team were able to not only repair the roof and barn using traditional techniques, but are now able to use the barn as extra space for the larger collaborative projects they run.
“I love architecture and love finding old buildings; It started when I worked for a company that worked on Blue Plaque Properties in London, and got involved in heritage work. I like traditional carpentry, not ‘house bashing’. I worked on Bram Stoker’s house and Charlie Chaplin’s house as well. I like doing up buildings in the way they’re supposed to be renovated, even when they’re warped and twisted.”
“We’ve all enjoyed working at Moulsecoomb Place. Too many buildings become derelict because of the lack of upkeep. Traditional maintenance can be very slow and labour can be very expensive: Moulsecoomb Place has also given the team the opportunity to test some learning processes out and test skillsets.”
Jay shared more about Making it Out and what it means to him: “I like the ethos of helping people and giving them another chance. Facilitating people to help them move on whether it’s metal work, art, carpentry, all of it encourages skillsets and creativity; I’m teaching life skills and transferable skills, helping people make something from nothing, and being in a position to help is really rewarding.”
“Some of the people we’re working with have a background where they’ve experienced very difficult and complex circumstances, and some people are still affected by issues around homelessness and addiction. My colleague Lucy offers brilliant support around things like housing, everyone gets a hot meal up at the barn. We all know how important it is to encourage and empower people.”
When asked about other Making It Out projects, Jay highlighted the Homelessness Deaths Memorial Sculpture currently being created in the restored barn by several team members who have lived-experience of homelessness.
The statue is designed to honour and represent those who have died while homeless in Brighton and Hove. They are now awaiting council approval for it to be installed in Brighthelm Gardens next year.
“I was a jobbing carpenter before, it wasn’t rewarding like things are now; I’m in a position to help people, with 40 years of knowledge; I’ve been doing it a long, long time; there isn’t much we can’t do: if you’ve got an idea, we’ll build and construct it.”
“I remember helping my grandad make cabinets when I was eight or nine years old. He was a carpenter, and he said to me “If you get a trade, you’ll never go hungry, and he was absolutely right.”
You can find out more about Making it Out here and keep an eye out for upcoming updates on our revamp, where we’ll showcase everyone else who’s played a part in designing and transforming our community space and kitchen at Moulsecoomb Place.