Gibson House: a statement from
www.nautiluswelfarefund Nautilus Welfare Fund
In January 2015 some concerns were raised on social media about the future of Gibson House. Nautilus recognises and appreciates these, but it is important to set the record straight and correct some of the misleading statements which have been made about the building.
It should be noted that it is the Nautilus Welfare Fund - a
separate charity with with its own trust deed operated in accordance with the charity commission requirements - that is responsible for Gibson House and not Nautilus the union per se.
The proposal for the demolition of Gibson House has been made reluctantly.It is not an easy option and it is not a cheap option. We have worked long and hard to seek a viable future for the building. Over the last decade we have entered into public and private sector partnerships to explore redevelopment proposals and to produce a conversion plan. However, factors such as the substantial structural challenges presented by the building mean that none of these plans proved to be viable. No one else has produced a proposal or a bid for the building which would secure its future in its current form.
The condition of the building - which has suffered from vandalism and environmental damage-is such that it requires extensive work, not minor remedial repairs. It presents serious risks - including the presence of asbestos - which demand good management and specialist work.
We strive to provide high quality care and welfare services for former seafarers and their dependants .Over the past twenty years we have made significant investment in state-of- the-art facilities including new residential and specialist care facilities and further developments are planned to ensure that we continue to meet projected needs over the decades ahead.These facilities are designed to reflect the results of research into changing demands for welfare services and it is not possible to deliver such services in the 21st century in a building that was constructed shortly after the 19th century
It is also important to state that the Nautilus Welfare Fund is an independent charity administering the services at Mariners Park.As a charity, the Fund has a responsibility to use its resources in the most beneficial for those it cares for. Sadly, it has been impossible to find a way in which those resources can be used to deliver a viable future for Gibson House.
This was singed off by Mike Jess The secretary Nautilus Welfare Fund
Any mistakes are mine because I could not upload the original with my previous post. You can read original at
www.nautiluswelfarefund.
