An award winning Wolverhampton social enterprise has welcomed support from the city council in the form of a new long term lease agreement on its headquarters.
Aspiring Futures provides education, training and support to women and girls across a range of ethnic groups within the community from The Saplings in Parkfield Road.
Following approval by the council’s Cabinet, a 25 year lease on the council owned facility – adjacent to Windsor Nursery School – will be put in place.
The modern single storey building was previously part of the nursery school but was vacated in 2018 due to funding. The 965 sqft premises has been occupied by Aspiring Futures since approximately 2019 under a licence arrangement.
The benefits of the new lease offer continued access to services for hard to reach and economically disadvantaged women; the provision of a wide variety of activities such as digital skills, one-to-one support, literacy and numeracy skills, counselling and children’s club; support to achieve improved mental health for women and children; and the opportunity for Aspiring Futures to make improvements to the building and obtain future grant funding.
Aspiring Futures Executive Director, Sofia Haider said: “The 25 year lease will offer Aspiring Futures economic stability and a solid community base to operate from and further grow the organisation and our much demanded services.
“It will improve confidence in our strategic planning and ensure our long term presence in the community. We greatly appreciate the support from City of Wolverhampton Council.”
The council’s Cabinet Member for Governance and Equalities, Councillor Paula Brookfield, said: “This lease agreement provides some stability to a vital community facing company doing important work with women and children in our city.
“As a council it is important we make the best use of our assets and this solution gives Aspiring Futures the opportunity to grow as an organisation, while reducing the council’s maintenance liabilities.”