The charity’s back-office functions including HR, Finance, Fundraising and Maintenance have been based at the Grade II listed former Presbyterian Church for nearly 15 years.
The building contains offices for the 52 staff who support the running of The Wallich’s 100 frontline services across Wales, as well as training and meeting rooms which have been hired out to businesses and community groups to provide a welcoming hub and an income for the charity.
Since 2007, the charity’s staff numbers have increased 300% from 183 to 550 and the number of services the charity runs has increased from 30 to 100 across 18 local authorities.
The pandemic, and the associated financial and economic fallout, has led to an increased demand for specialist services to support people without a home and those in danger of losing theirs. The Wallich has always been a leader in innovation and will continue to find new ways to help more people.
However, the coronavirus pandemic prompted investment and focus from Welsh Government on the issue of homelessness and there has been welcome interest in the issue from other areas such as the £10 million National Lottery Helping End Homelessness Fund.
Despite most of the organisation’s staff continuing to work on the frontline during coronavirus, the pandemic vastly altered the way many people work. Office workers who have been home working during the pandemic will continue to do so, or will adopt a hybrid home/office working pattern in the future.
The need for face-to-face meetings and meeting rooms has also decreased. The organisation must adapt to this new reality and the benefits it offers.
As The Wallich enters a new phase of development, the organisation wants to ensure the best possible support for people experiencing homelessness and the best use of its charitable funds.
“We have enjoyed being at the heart of the community and will miss our neighbors and the businesses which have supported us. We have loved hosting so many events and functions at our distinguished building. Now is the time for change.
“We hope the new owners of the building will be made to feel as welcome as we have for the past 15 years and will contribute to the thriving community.”
A standard, smaller office will be rented for back-office staff to ensure a central hub remains to support staff and to adapt to the needs of the organisation as it grows and changes.
Meanwhile, the funds from the sale of the historic former presbyterian church will be invested into new services to help more people across Wales in new and innovative ways, and to ensure the organisation continues to help create a Wales where homelessness can be solved.