A new community-facing NHS mental health rehabilitation centre has opened its doors in Wesham, Lancashire.
The refurbishment of the Wesham Rehabilitation Centre was led by architectural practice, Frank Whittle Partnership (FWP), with construction work undertaken by Eric Wright Construction, supported by Healthcare Support and Infrastructure Services (HSIS).
It will be run by the Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust. Based at the former Wesham Hospital Rehabilitation site in Mowbreck Lane, services will provide a bridge between acute care and community living. The building, which includes a modern, timber-clad extension, houses 28 en-suite bedrooms together with treatment rooms, living spaces including quiet lounges and a MasterChef-style communal kitchen, therapy gardens, and a community café. Martin Whittle, FWP partner, said: “We have used all our experience that we have built up in the mental health sector over several years to deliver this important community project. “It really is a showcase of how far mental health design has progressed in recent years and the leading role our specialist team has played in that development. “The team involved has worked extremely hard with the trust to create a unit that is both warm and welcoming and has a distinct non-clinical feel throughout. “We believe the result is a stand-out facility that will help people to live independent lives back in the community.” David Simmons, FWP associate partner, added: “User and clinical engagement meetings have allowed the design to evolve into a unit that is totally removed from people’s traditional view of a hospital environment.
“Our design encompasses lots of open access spaces, a reception area that is warm and welcoming, a central living space that connects the two bedrooms wings which is a truly uplifting space for day-to-day relaxing and engagement, and with full access to an exceptional garden. “The centre is also working with a local charity to encourage residents to get involved in growing produce in the standout therapy gardens that have been created. “Produce grown by the residents can be then cooked in the MasterChef-style kitchens and later sold in the community café within the centre entrance.”
