A unique exhibition documenting the work of Tresillian House and The Huggard centre will take place this week.
The exhibition entitled, No Place Like Home , will feature images taken by staff and service users of the centres and will also include a full sound installation.
Taking place on Friday 10th December and Sat 11th December the exhibition is a collaboration between Ffotogallery, Cardiff Council and Huggard. It will mark the end of an era for the buildings before work begins next year on a new state of the art multi-million pound centre at the Tresillian and Huggard site.
The exhibition will be officially opened by Deputy Leader of Cardiff Council and Executive Member for Housing, Communities and Social Justice, Cllr Judith Woodman.
Construction company Cowlin will begin demolition in the New Year, with the opening of the new centre taking place in spring 2012.
The new £9.4m project, which has been funded by Cardiff Council, Welsh Assembly Government, Hafod Care and Lottery funding will feature a Housing Options Building and two hostels comprising of 44 ensuite bedrooms and 16 overnight emergency beds, training and development facilities, health assessment centres and a day centre.
For the past 20 years Tresillian House and The Huggard Centre have played a key part in the provision of frontline homeless services in the capital city. Their contribution to homeless service users has been substantial and therefore the services believed Tresillian House and Huggard needed to be celebrated. Ffotogallery were commissioned to work in collaboration with Cardiff Council and Huggard to produce the insightful exhibition which marks the achievements of both centres.
Photographic artist, Faye Chamberlain, and sound artist Chris Young worked with staff and service users to produce images and sound recordings for the exhibition. To accompany the exhibition a book has been produced, which features images of the buildings’ hidden life taken by staff and service users.
Executive Member for Housing, Communities and Social Justice, Cllr Judith Woodman, said: “Tresillian House and The Huggard Centre have, for the past twenty years played a huge role in the lives of the homeless community within Cardiff. It has become a sanctuary for many and the staff at the centres have provided a first class service.
“The exhibition is both a celebration of the past twenty years and also marks the start of a new era for homeless provision in the city. I am honoured to be able to officially open the one day exhibition, which will give a fascinating insight into the daily life of the centre.”
David Harris, Cowlin Divisional Managing Director commented: “The new centre will be the first of its kind in the UK and Cowlin is delighted to work with Cardiff City Council on another prestigious and exciting project. The exhibition will give visitors a rare glimpse of life for the staff and centre users, and a chance to see what can be expected when the new centre is completed.”
