A new £800k Brixham Wellbeing Centre in Brixham officially opened its doors on Thursday 9th May 2019.
The centre was a result of a joint venture and a lot of hard work from the Brixham Community Hospital League of Friends, Brixham Does Care and Torbay & South Devon NHS Foundation trust.
The centre brings together day care, health and wellbeing services all into one, accessible location.
Collaboration not competition
The Trust provided the land on the Brixham Community Hospital site, and the Brixham Community Hospital League of Friends donated a whopping £800,000 to cover all of the costs of the build.
Not only did the league of friends donate the funds needed, they also went onto to oversee the build, and used local architect, Johnathan Ling-Cottey (from MTA Charter Architects).
Due to the League of Friends generous contribution, the community centre has been named after the league.
Ran by Brixham Does Care
The Brixham Day Centre will be ran by the Brixham Does Care team, a well known and established local charity that has experience dating back some 40 years. This experience extends to help people who are vulnerable and working with people to reduce the feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Within the centre visitors and patients can expect access to carer services, a local wellbeing coordinator and day care, along with a whole host of other services.
Alongside this rooms will be available to hire, for the local community and other services that are complimentary to people’s health and wellbeing.
The Right Care
The Brixham Day Care Centre is part of a much wider strategy by the the trust to bring people the right care, in the right place and helping people stay well and independent within their own communities.
Along side the day care centre marks a significant step in strengthening the fundamental parternship that exists between the voluntary sector and the NHS.
People in Brixham will now be able to access the widest range of health and wellbeing services from one site with the community hospital radio and friends being co-located.
Sir Richard Ibbotson, Chairman of the Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust:
“This centre has been several years in the making and we’re here today because of the determination and vision of some very good people. All of those involved should take great pride and satisfaction in this.“
“The centre provides one site supporting health and wellbeing for the people of Brixham. The aim is for residents to have access to health and wellbeing services from one place; outpatient services, clinics, day care and a range of additional services to support people to stay healthy and happy in their own community as long as possible.
“The League of Friends working with the Trust and community support on this scale to set up a community-run facility is genuinely extraordinary and establishes an example to be followed nationally, supporting integrated care in the truest sense. Everyone involved with the development of the centre should be very pleased and proud of this achievement.”
Brixham Does Care director, Emma Barton went onto say:
Brixham Does Care is honoured to be managing The Friends Centre – it has been an exciting project and shows what can be achieved when the voluntary sector comes together with the statutory sector.
“The Friends Centre will play an important role within the community as it will provide a variety services, including day care and there is an opportunity for local businesses and the community to hire rooms.
“The building is a very inviting and accessible space and our aim is to help people stay in their community and importantly in their own homes through the activities and groups we run. For those people wishing to use our day care services it will also be a social opportunity to meet others and to engage in activities, have refreshments and a meal.
“We have been very fortunate to have Pride in Brixham who have created a fabulous outdoor space for all to enjoy.”
Chair of the Brixham Community Hopsital League of Friends, Peter Day said:
“We are delighted to have been able to fund this new landmark and important Centre for the Community of Brixham.
“The building has come together extremely well! The £800,000 that we used to fund the build has been raised over many years and without the Brixham community and their contributions none of this would have been possible – I think that everyone who has contributed would be very proud of this achievement.”
