Charity

Hospice launches Stage 2 of Build 2020 project

St Richard’s Hospice Chief Executive June Patel and John Christophers of Associated Architects with members of the Speller Metcalfe team

The second stage of major construction work to redevelop and build a bigger adult hospice for Worcester is now underway.

Stage 2 of the St Richard’s Hospice Build 2020 project has begun, working with Malvern-based construction company, Speller Metcalfe.

St Richard’s Chief Executive June Patel said, “We have recently completed Stage 1 of the building project – thanks to fantastic support from our community and have opened the first part of our Living Well Centre.

“We’re now looking forward to Stage 2, creating 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. We are also building a lovely social and eating space for all called The Green, which will be at the heart of the hospice.”

Mrs Patel explained, “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.”

St Richard’s says demand for hospice care is rising sharply with an aging population and people living longer with multiple illnesses including neurological and heart, renal and respiratory conditions as well as cancer.

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 £5.3m cost of the Build 2020 project.

Fundraising 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.

“We are honoured to have been appointed to such a worthwhile project for St Richard’s Hospice and will bring our extensive experience of similar projects to deliver the new facilities to the very highest standards.”

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.

St Richard’s is an independent charity and relies on donations and gifts in Wills for the majority of its income with 22% funded by the NHS.

For more information about St Richard’s Hospice visit: www.strichards.org.uk.

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