News

With the expansion plans for Milton Keynes the city looks likely to double in size with 70,000 new homes, and an additional 450 voluntary and community organisations are expected to emerge by 2016.  In order to accommodate this increase, the Foundation has identified the need to develop Acorn House for the voluntary sector and for small and new business enterprises.

Building work on the ‘Acorn House Flagship Building’ began in January and is due to be completed by the end of March 2005.  Phase one of the refurbishment will incorporate: two serviced meeting rooms; a training room and IT suite; a crèche facility; a conference room; three new office spaces; a fully equipped resources room plus recycling facilities; and 12 serviced office space areas which can be leased on a short-term basis.  The Foundation is seeking funding for phase two of the project which will include a “Meet and Eat” area and shower facility.

Julia Seal, Chief Executive of the Foundation says “This project will create a vibrant hub in the heart of the city for the voluntary sector and small and new enterprises.  The Foundation will continue to maintain its grant-making programme, and it will now also be able to offer affordable, flexible accommodation and other services which are vital to supporting and sustaining growth in the voluntary sector.”

There are also plans to introduce a membership scheme for voluntary and commercial organisations who are not based in Acorn House, so they can access the building and use all the facilities for their work.

The project will enable existing tenants such as Milton Keynes Council of Voluntary Organisations, MK Citizens Advice Bureau and Women and Work to access additional space in Acorn House and thereby increase their support to the rapidly expanding local community.  They will also be able to offer much needed additional employment and training and volunteering activities.