THE SECOND stage of a major development to build a bigger hospice in Worcester is now underway.
St. Richard's Hospice Build 2020 first started two years ago. The £5.3 million expansion at Wildwood Drive will help them meet the ever-increasing need for hospice care in Worcestershire.
St Richard’s Chief Executive June Patel said, “We have recently completed Stage one 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 two, 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 ageing 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.
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.
ST RICHARD'S HOSPICE: Building on last year's progress
“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.”
For more information about the new and improved St Richard’s Hospice visit: www.strichards.org.uk
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