Together Our Community

Empowering young people through inclusive design

In 2023, we were invited to collaborate with Together Our Community, a dynamic local charity committed to empowering young people with disabilities through life skills, independence, and personal growth. Their ambition was to breathe new life into a long-neglected building on the edge of Chichester city centre—transforming it into a vibrant, inclusive hub that could better support their mission. We’re proud to have been appointed as lead designers for this deeply rewarding project.

The vision is one of transformation: not only of the building itself, but of the lives it will help shape. At its heart is a state-of-the-art community facility designed to be fully accessible, welcoming, and adaptive to a range of needs.

A new café sits at the centre of the scheme, acting as both a social space and a training ground. Here, young people can build confidence, gain valuable work experience, and develop real-world customer service skills in a supportive, public-facing environment.

Alongside it, a dedicated shop provides further opportunity for skills development—from managing stock to interacting with customers. The retail space will offer locally grown goods and showcase the charity’s wider purpose, allowing the community to directly support their work.

Our design approach is centred on accessibility, flexibility, and connection. Every element of the space is intended to encourage confidence, independence, and a strong sense of belonging. More than just a headquarters, the building is a springboard: a place where young people can grow, thrive, and connect with their wider community.

This project represents a true collaboration between architecture and purpose—between design and the people it serves.

The photos were taken a little while ago now, and we will be updating with the finished results before long.