Helping homeowners create hospitable spaces
What we do
Weller Guest Rooms has been established by a passionate team who have had lived experience of opening up their homes to those in need.
Because we have witnessed first-hand the beautiful reciprocity created between host families and a long-term guest, we decided to use our professional expertise and charity network to help others do the same. If you would be interested to know more about the process of becoming a host we'd love to meet you!
Why would
you do this?
There is a beautiful ancient law that required landowners not to harvest to the edges of their field, rather leave these areas for those in need to glean. In our modern lives we may not have actual fields but we could have spaces towards the edge of the metaphorical fields in our homes, that could be used by others.
Garages are often an underused space in our properties that, with some creative design, could become a gift of provision for someone in need. This person might be a refugee or someone lacking permanent housing. WGR is offering the chance for you to access our years of experience in property development and charity partnership to add significant value to your home whilst also enabling you to host a guest.
We hope this can be a win-win opportunity! The Weller Guest Rooms converted Garage would provide a bedroom with en-suite and a small kitchenette, but with the intention that your guest would still join the household for meals and spend as much time with you as you're all happy with.
We don't make tiny homes, we make great guest rooms that enable strangers to experience the love of a family.
The steps to welcomING your guest
1.
Meet the team
2.
Property Survey
3.
Establish the building cost and planning requirements
4.
Connect with partner charity
5.
Confirm finance model
6.
Build the Weller Guest Room
7.
Guest moves in
8.
Continued support for host and guest from charity partner and WGR
Meet the team
Malcolm Bourne
Cofounder, project director
With over 25 years experience in the construction industry Malcolm has extensive experience in property. He is passionate about the holistic opportunity the property sector can provide for social and environmental sustainability.
Malcolm’s work to date includes pioneering several job creation schemes, advising organisations on their asset management of property and land, and providing coaching support for artists and entrepreneurs.
Chris Simmonds
Cofounder, project designer
Chris is very experienced in every aspect of domestic architecture, having worked in this sector for over 17 years. His experience across hundreds of projects carried out in a London practice which he co-founded in 2009 (see as-architects.co.uk) put him in good stead to start Enhance Architecture in 2017 following his move to Bristol.
Chris loves designing, and has been drawn to architecture from a young age. He studied both his Architectural Degree and Masters in Sheffield.
Dan Maurice
Comms lead
A former sixth-form teacher, Dan brings a depth of experience in communicating complex issues in simple ways. The author of the widely acclaimed book, 'Finding the Peacemakers,' he has worked in print, audio and film, and is currently the Comms Lead at Bristol charity, Bridges for Communities. A bewildered adventurer, Dan has spent a lifetime wildly out of his depth in mountains, cities and deserts, searching for unsung heroes who can inspire the next generation, and make the world a better place. Check out his book, Finding the Peacemakers, or The LukeX Project (lukex.org) to find out more.
Sue Land
Marketing/fundraising
Working alongside entrepreneurs, small business owners and charities, Sue runs a marketing consultancy to help organisations reach their audience and grow. With 28 years’ experience in the marketing industry her specialisms include marketing strategy, brand development, channel marketing, sponsorship and communications. Since 2017, Sue has worked on several not-for-profit projects addressing the needs of the most marginalised in our society.
Matt Doherty
Branding and web design
Matt is a passionate brand strategist and designer, specialising in helping charities to clarify their mission and grow through creativity.
He has a background in youth work and church leadership, and balances businesses with a young family and volunteering in his local community.