THE SECOND stage of a multi-million scheme to redevelop and build a bigger adult hospice for Worcester has begun as part of St Richard’s Hospices landmark Build 2020 campaign.
After taking the wraps off first part the new Living Well centre, hospice chiefs have now teamed up with Spellar Metcalfe to get the second phase of the project underway.
The revamp will create a range of specialist therapeutic rooms to expand the Living Well Centre even more, including an exercise studio, art studio, horticultural therapy room as well as an occupational therapy training kitchen and music and film therapy room.
Hospice chief June Patel revealed a social and eating space for all called The Green will be at the heart of the hospice.
“Bigger, multi-purpose spaces will allow us to offer a wider choice of activities to help people manage their illness where appropriate, such as sessions to cope with breathlessness and fatigue; exercise-based groups and creative and music therapies which can increase confidence and independence; bring relief from symptoms; reduce stress, anxiety and depression as well as improve sleep,” she said.
All the new and expanded services will run alongside St Richard’s current wide range of patient and family care including support in people’s own homes and 17 in-patient beds.
An appeal was launched in January 2018 to support the £5.3million cost of the Build 2020 project.
Fund-raising director Tricia Cavell said, “Our community and generous trust and grant-making organisations have been incredible in their support for the Build 2020 appeal.
“We’ve almost reached the finishing line and are extremely grateful to all those who donate to help us reach the goal of caring for up to an extra 1,000 individuals a year when they need us most.”
Bill Cave, operations director for Speller Metcalfe said: “We are absolutely delighted to be working with St Richard’s Hospice once again, having originally built the hospice in Wildwood Drive in 2006.
“Being based locally in Malvern, St Richard’s Hospice holds a special place in the heart of many of us at Speller Metcalfe – as it does for a great number of people in Worcestershire – with many of us having had loved ones and colleagues cared for there.
As well as building the main hospice, the firm has also worked on a number of other construction projects at the hospice including extensions in 2010 and 2013.
St Richard’s Hospice cares for adults with a serious progressive illness, improving their quality of life from diagnosis, during treatment and to their last days. It also supports their loved ones.
Each year the hospice team supports more than 3,400 patients, family members and bereaved people in Worcestershire.
Visit www.strichards.org.uk for more.
