New Meaning Foundation

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New Meaning Foundation In UK & The Gambia.

A modular construction & charitable business building homes in order to deliver training and jobs to people from backgrounds of hardship, homelessness, low-income & neurodiversity.

Problem solving is a huge part of construction.Last week, this was what our team found out. Timber Structural Insulated ...
13/10/2026

Problem solving is a huge part of construction.

Last week, this was what our team found out. Timber Structural Insulated Panels (SIPS) were being constructed and installed last week, but due to the pre-existing brickwork they were unable to fix the panels to the exterior walls. However, with the problem now solved with the solution to use resin bolts to fix a bracket or a spacing block so that the 50mm ventilation gap can be ensured, progress continued.

Last week’s focus was the Timber Structural Insulated Panels (SIPS). They are completed with a high-tech, vapour barrier Tyvek membrane which prevents vapour down to 50 microns but allows dry air through; then a 100mm acoustic rated insulation layer, then a vapour control (waterproof) layer will be attached to the inside. This is then joined carefully to overlap the underfloor damp proof membrane to create a complete seal against moisture.

Due to the age of the brickwork and historical construction a 50mm continuous ventilation gap is also required between the original outer wall and the new exterior wall inner “skin”. This will support the prevention of damp and moisture.

In addition to this, the team also created more insulated timber frames, to block up the old doorways and serving hatches.

More to come in the following weeks. Look out for further developments.

What if we built education for the individual, not built the individual for the education system?This is the reason why ...
09/10/2026

What if we built education for the individual, not built the individual for the education system?

This is the reason why so many of our young people, who have been labelled as unteachable, unwilling to learn, or without a future, thrive at New Meaning Foundation; because we educate in a flexible way that connects with the individual.

Our learners are not unteachable, and they are definitely eager to learn. Mainstream education was just unwilling or unable to teach in a way that met their needs.

Achievements do not always look the same, but everyone can achieve great things with the right support and understanding, and that is what New Meaning Foundation specialises in.

08/10/2026

Boxing Thursday!

Our learners always look forward to their boxing sessions with Lewis Kahraman! And we look forward to seeing them, happy, engaged, and excited to get involved.

Celebrating It Takes A City - Cambridge Community Land Trust, their successful land projects, and their plans for the f...
08/10/2026

Celebrating It Takes A City - Cambridge Community Land Trust, their successful land projects, and their plans for the future, yesterday was an excellent event!

A wonderful event filled with like-minded people and organisations, all working towards the same goal: community and social improvement through the support of the vulnerable. It was also wonderful to hear about the impact of this, through Joy's Corner resident Sydney.

We are super excited to be working with It Takes A City CLT again, now as their preferred supplier, to deliver 11 new SPACE© microhomes. This project not only bring valuable opportunities for those experiencing homelessness, to rebuild, but also brings valuable work and work experience to a team of young people who previously were written off by mainstream systems.

Thank you for Chris Jenkin for hosting this event, and the Edge Cafe for providing the lovely food.

A busy week, last week, on site at St Mary at the Elms!1. Wall Vents have been installed. Some existing wall vents were ...
07/10/2026

A busy week, last week, on site at St Mary at the Elms!

1. Wall Vents have been installed. Some existing wall vents were utilised, and some new ones were created by opening up the brickwork cavity inside. The inner ventilation brickwork openings will now link to a 50mm ventilation gap between the old brick wall and the new timber stud wall, being built next week.

Also some beautiful heritage style iron vent grills were installed!

2. Doorways were a big task last week. Doorways were raised to 2 metres for new doors and to accommodate a raised floating floor at 175mm above the old. To do this, the team needed to install door lintels and blockwork, which they did whilst Acrow Jacks and Strongboys held up the original brickwork.

A new block pillar was inserted to hold the lintel, and the older brick pillar cut down to a 150mm nib, to allow the door frame to be fitted later.

This was all to create a much stronger wall that will thrive, long into the future.

3. The team started working on a frame for the project's first structural insulated panel; work that is continuing this week, to create exterior partition walls.

This is a big project and we are excited to see the progress of not only the build but of also of our team, through these new challenges and the new skills that they will develop.

Winter is coming!But with Damp Proof Course and insulation installed, our new supported homes project in Ipswich will re...
05/10/2026

Winter is coming!

But with Damp Proof Course and insulation installed, our new supported homes project in Ipswich will remain warm and dry through winter months.

So far on the St Mary at the Elms project we have:
1. Completed groundworks
2. Demolished the necessary walls and doorways
3. Pulled up the old floorboards

Now installing a complete new floating, insulated timber joist and cement boards floor with two damp proof layers for extra security against potential damp.

01/10/2026

3 New Moving on Homes in Ipswich!!

NMF were the sole tenderer requested by Julia, the Inspirational Leader at Selig Charity.

SUPER PROUD to build 3 studio apartments, a communal kitchen and lounge for Selig and J49.

A complete church hall refurb us the first challenge.
A heritage project.

Good Works!!

The St Mary at the Elms Church hall in Ipswich: New Meaning Foundation's newest project.Before we got started, it was ol...
01/10/2026

The St Mary at the Elms Church hall in Ipswich: New Meaning Foundation's newest project.

Before we got started, it was old and run down; lots of work to be done to turn this into a dignified and supportive living place for ex-homeless people.

Even before we could start building internally, we had to get the groundworks completed. Everything for water supply, and drainage, installed by excellent local contractors Ashwell Construction.

Interior work is now underway and lots of changes happening and a positive transformation underway.

30/09/2026

Confidence. Exercise. Focus. Emotional wellbeing. All in one session!

This month’s takes us out of the classroom and into a boxing session with our brilliant weekly boxing coach Lewis Kahraman .

For our learners, many of whom have additional needs and have struggled in traditional education, being active can have a huge impact.

These sessions give them the opportunity to:
- Get active and enjoy regular exercise
- Build confidence and self-belief
- Develop focus and concentration
- Practise managing emotions and releasing stress in a positive way
- Support their mental wellbeing
- Challenge themselves and recognise what they are capable of

And, importantly, they get to have fun, be part of a team and experience success in an environment that feels very different from a traditional classroom.

We believe education should support the whole young person, which is inclusive of helping them develop practical skills, confidence and resilience alongside their education, because sometimes, the most important things you learn aren't found in a textbook.

This is learning, our way.

Address

New Meaning Foundation, Waterbeach Barracks, Denny End Road, Waterbeach
Cambridge
CB42HY

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