Homes for heroes.
Hope for communities.
Homing Heroes CIC turns derelict buildings into supported homes for Armed Forces veterans, with community wellbeing spaces on the ground floor. We train veterans in construction along the way.
The Problem
Two crises. One opportunity.
Well above the national average. Shildon ranks 9 out of 10 on deprivation indices, with some neighbourhoods in the worst 2% nationally. Boarded-up buildings are visible scars of economic decline.
A 14% increase year-on-year. An estimated 3-6% of all homeless people have an Armed Forces background. Specialist supported housing for veterans is scarce, and existing places are at risk of closure.
What We Do
One model. Multiple problems solved.
We take buildings nobody wants and turn them into places everybody needs. Every project delivers housing, training, and community benefit in one package.
Acquire
Identify derelict or under-used buildings in towns that need investment. Acquire at low cost.
Refurbish
Renovate using contractors alongside veteran training cohorts, delivered in partnership with Building Heroes.
Operate
Supported veteran homes on upper floors. Community wellbeing and therapy space on the ground floor.
Reinvest
As a CIC, surplus is locked in. Every pound of profit goes towards the next building.
Our Projects
Prove it small. Then scale.
Before committing to a large refurbishment, we are delivering a smaller proof-of-concept to demonstrate we can partner, deliver, and train.
Tennis Court Pavilion, Shildon
A council-owned pavilion getting a practical upgrade: floor levelling, insulation, and fit-out. Delivered by a Building Heroes veteran training cohort, supervised by Homing Heroes.
- ~1 month
- Veteran training
- Council partnership
The Flag & Whistle, Shildon
A former pub on Strand Street, vacant for over a decade. Our target: convert into supported veteran flats with a ground-floor community and wellbeing space. Due diligence is underway.
- Veteran homes
- Wellbeing hub
- Due diligence in progress
Impact Targets
What we are working towards
These are targets, not promises. We will report honestly on progress as we go.
Roadmap
Two phases, one mission
We are building this step by step — proving the model before scaling it.
Phase 0 — Foundations
Establishing the company, proving the delivery model, and completing due diligence on our pilot building.
- Incorporate CIC and appoint directors
- Build partnerships with training and housing providers
- Prove the model with the tennis pavilion pilot
- Due diligence on the Flag & Whistle
- Secure Phase 0 funding for surveys and legal costs
Phase 1 — Delivery
Securing ownership of the pilot building and delivering the full refurbishment through to opening the doors.
- Complete structural survey and GO/NO-GO decision
- Acquire the Flag & Whistle
- Raise seed capital for refurbishment
- Deliver refurbishment with veteran training cohorts
- Open supported homes and community hub
Partners
We don't do this alone
Homing Heroes works with specialist organisations who share our mission.
Building Heroes
Award-winning charity that has trained over 3,000 veterans in construction since 2014. They deliver on-site training cohorts during our refurbishments.
Shildon Town Council
Local council backing our pilot project with endorsement and partnership on community assets in Shildon.
North East BIC
Business and Innovation Centre providing advisory support on social enterprise development, fundraising, and governance.
The Team
Who is behind Homing Heroes
Jack Archer
Start-up & Operations Lead
Driving the incorporation, partnerships, funding applications, and day-to-day project management of Homing Heroes.
Chris Archer
Project & Construction Lead
Leading surveys, feasibility, build planning, and cost management. Brings hands-on construction and project delivery experience.
Susan Luckhurst
Director & Community Lead
Shildon Town Councillor and community champion. Provides governance oversight and local connections.
Progress
Where we are now
- CIC incorporated Done
- Bank account open Done
- Board of directors established Done
- Shildon Town Council partnership In progress
- Durham County Council discussions In progress
- Phase 0 funding In progress
- Pilot project planning In progress
- Flag & Whistle due diligence In progress
Want to get involved?
Whether you are a funder, a potential partner, a veteran, or just someone who believes in what we are doing, we would love to hear from you.
Get in touch