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A pioneering new community designed to help people leave homelessness behind has officially opened in Manchester city centre.
Manchester’s homeless village in Castlefield
Embassy Village, the UK’s first purpose-built homeless village of its kind, has been created beneath 22 railway arches in Castlefield and provides long-term homes and support for some of Greater Manchester’s most vulnerable residents.
Built beneath the arches near St George’s Island in Castlefield, just a short walk from Deansgate, the project has become one of the most ambitious community collaborations the city has seen in recent years, bringing together more than 130 Manchester businesses.
The completed development delivers 40 high-quality homes, each fully furnished and offering residents their own front door, alongside wrap-around support designed to help people rebuild their lives with dignity and independence.
What was once an overlooked stretch of land beneath the railway arches has now been transformed into a small village community complete with a village hall, outdoor green spaces, mini allotments, a sports area and landscaped gardens with more than 1,800 plants.
Residents receive personalised support alongside practical life training including cooking, budgeting and work readiness.
When the first residents move in, each will have a stable home, their own space and the support needed to rebuild their lives.
From bold idea to reality
The story of Embassy Village began several years ago when Greater Manchester charity Embassy started searching for a long-term solution to homelessness.
The charity, founded in 2019, originally repurposed a luxury tour bus to provide emergency shelter for people experiencing homelessness. That initiative helped highlight the need for something more permanent.
In 2021 Embassy joined forces with developers Peel Waters, part of The Peel Group, and Manchester regeneration specialist Capital&Centric, alongside a pro-bono team of architects, engineers and businesses across the city.
Together they developed the idea of a purpose-built village that would provide housing alongside structured support and training.
Peel Waters provided land beneath the railway arches near St George’s Island in Castlefield, unlocking a previously unused space in the city centre.
Since planning consent was granted in 2021, the project relied heavily on fundraising and city-wide support.
Major funding included a £3.5 million donation from The Moulding Foundation, alongside £1.7 million of Brownfield Development Funding from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. Further support came from organisations including the Garfield Weston Foundation and Benefact Trust.
Construction was delivered by Vermont Construction Group at no profit, with many materials and services donated by businesses across the region.
What Embassy Village provides
Embassy Village is designed as a long-term community rather than a temporary shelter.
The development includes 40 purpose-built homes, a village hall with counselling space and training facilities, communal laundry facilities, outdoor green space and allotments, and a multi-use sports area.
Residents commit to structured support programmes including weekly training sessions focused on practical life skills such as cooking, shopping and budgeting.
The village hall includes a counselling room, communal computers, laundry room and training kitchen designed to help residents develop independent living skills.
Embassy is responsible for the management and operation of the village and specialises in helping people reintegrate back into society, breaking the cycle of homelessness through housing, training and support.
A city-wide collaboration
More than 130 organisations supported the delivery of Embassy Village, donating time, expertise, services and materials.
More than 200 people attended the official completion celebration at the site.
During the event a local graffiti artist spray-painted the logos of the businesses that helped build the project, creating a permanent tribute to the organisations that supported the village.
Guests were also invited to sign a brick to mark the completion of construction.
A proud moment for Manchester
More than 200 people turned up to celebrate the launch of Embassy Village MCR credit Peel Waters
James Whittaker, Managing Director of Peel Waters, said the project shows what Manchester can achieve when organisations work together.
“Starting the build of Embassy Village was a very significant moment for us and our partners who have worked on this meaningful project.
“From forming the initial concept of using our land for the most vulnerable in our society during a breakfast with Mayor Andy Burnham, to pulling together the huge team of consultants working on a pro bono basis, we are extremely proud of our involvement and continuous support of this amazing project.
“Today’s launch marks years of hard work and collaboration to deliver the UK’s first purpose-built community village.”
Tim Heatley, Capital&Centric
Tim Heatley, co-founder of Capital&Centric and Chair of the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity, said the project demonstrates the power of collaboration.
“Initiatives such as this show how big things can happen when the people and businesses of Greater Manchester come together.
“A city is judged on how it looks after its most vulnerable residents and once again our city region is leading the way.”
L-R James Whittaker – Peel Waters, Jodie Moulding – The Moulding Foundation, Sid and Tess Williams – Embassy, Tim Heatley – CapitalandCentric
Mark Connor, CEO of Vermont Construction Group, said the project goes beyond simply building homes.
“Homelessness is a huge issue in Manchester as the city has some of the highest numbers of rough sleepers in the country.
“This project isn’t just about bricks and mortar. It’s about creating a community and support system for people who need it.”
Sid Williams, co-founder and director of Embassy, said the journey to creating the village had been extraordinary.
“Buying an A-lister tour bus to house homeless people seemed a big vision when we started, and yet here we are not so long later building an entire village.
“We couldn’t have done this without the incredible companies, individuals and trusts who have given their support and believed in the vision.”
He added that although the village has now been completed, the work of supporting residents continues.
“While the build is complete, we still need support to fund the team who will help residents rebuild their lives and move forward.”
Jodie Moulding, co-founder of The Moulding Foundation, said the project will change lives.
“As soon as we met Sid and learned about the plans for Embassy Village, we knew this was something that would transform the lives of some of Manchester’s most vulnerable men.”
How to support Embassy Village
Embassy continues to fundraise to support the ongoing running of the village and the support programmes provided to residents.
Anyone wishing to support Embassy Village through donations, services or volunteering can find out more at the Embassy website.
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