Convert A Centrally Located Unused Building Space – Refurbish the building fit for use and to meet health and safety standards, installing a fresh kitchen, reception, co-working space, networking/cabling and completely revamping the space altogether, with a lick of paint, desk chairs and people. Creating Local Digital Incubator – A space for individuals to come to work (in a socially distanced manner for now) to collaborate and work on their own independent projects, as well as Daydreamer Incubator Projects. Set-up computer facilities for online digital/media training, facilitated by local organisations and increasing local digital knowledge/employability. Set-Up Food Parcel Production / Emergency Response Packages – Working with local community groups whom have limited resources/space for storage of food/emergency response packages. To setup an open-kitchen facility to store/cook/package/distribute foods to the needy/hungry. To be delivered through a network of volunteer drivers.

What we'll deliver:

• Install a new kitchen
• Upgrade existing computer equipment
• Set up local networking capabilities
• Create an open multi-use co-working group
• Install training/development stations
• Convert rooms for meetings/training/therapies
• Provide food delivery service for homeless persons (during COVID)
• Provide bulk food cook/prep service for homeless (post COVID)
• Create bespoke multimedia department
• Create hot-desk spaces

Why it's a great idea:

Local Elderly/Homeless/Food-Poverty – Enables kitchen to be used for fresh production of foods that would otherwise be going to waste. Fresh fruit, vegetables and ingredients to be converted into hot meal packages. Donations of packaging and other produce from community groups to be used collectively. Community Involvement – As an inclusive hub, all members of the community would be welcome to access services and volunteer in a multitude of community relief capacities. There is a massive feel-good feeling one gets from doing something for others. Businesses who want to see the area improve – Working with and for local businesses would enable greater development of workforce opportunities within the city, thus bringing more business and positive coverage of Leicester overall. Leicester has had some negative publicity due to isolated lockdown, the greater level of good news stories of the area, the better. Reduce empty buildings and spaces would create better working environments.

Steps to get it done:

• Repaint the space
• Install fixtures, fittings, desks and chairs
• Intall networking hardware
• Install already purchased computing hardware
• Phased upgrade of IT systems
• First online training session delivered
• First online qualification gained
• First homeless person into a part-time job
• First homeless person into a full-time job
• First homeless business manager
• Kitchen installation
• First Food Hygiene Qualification Gained
• First large batch of cakes made
• First large batch of food produced for delivery

The Daydreamer Project Ltd and the Daydreamer Initiative CIC were formed with the fundamental view of assisting the homeless and other marginalised communities back into employment. A functional recruiter dedicated to assisting those whom have the most difficulties in seeking employment would be great. As part of the incubator, homeless service users get to gain/upgrade skills to be able to get back into work or potentially work in small business bubbles to be able to become more entrepreneurial and self-sufficient. With support from the team and other local community organisations, it gives the chance/opportunity to someone who otherwise potentially would not get one. In the ideal scenario, this would be the first of many such hubs to create cohesion and partnerships, employability and skills. It would be a Leicester based with opportunities to grow and be replicated UK-Wide.