Grace & Light is seeking planning permission for our third building, a large two-storey retreat centre where we will host training and conferences.

Our third building project, a retreat centre, is substantially more ambitious than our first office and then the charity shop and international office. We are constructing it for two reasons: firstly, to have an affordable venue for holding regular volunteering training sessions, meetings and conferences; and secondly as a revenue generator from hiring out part or all the building to other organisations.

The two-storey building will sleep 56 guests in 28 twin bed rooms with en-suite bathrooms. It will also have a meeting room capable of seating 70 people, an informal lounge, dining room and commercial kitchen, plus parking for 40 cars.

Pouring the foundations will begin in 2017 and cost N7m (approx. £17,500). So far we have raised £3,000 towards this cost through one-off gifts from supporters in Nigeria and October’s fundraising dinner. Please contact your country representative if you would like to help fund the foundations and other elements of the construction.

In total the retreat centre will cost N67m (approx. £167,500) to build. We hope to be using the centre by early 2019.