We were delighted to join clients Plymouth City Council, Age UK Plymouth and NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (Devon CCG) to mark the start of a significant refurbishment project on the upper two floors of the William and Patricia Venton Centre, Plymouth’s first ‘short term care centre’ to help people recover after they’ve been in hospital.
Held close the hearts of Plymouth residents, the building used to be a residential care home and the refurbishment works will update the 24 en-suite bedrooms and provide space for lounges and offices. Age UK Plymouth’s day centre for adults will remain on the ground floor. The Council is investing £823,410 capital funding into the refurbishment and will lease part of the building from Age UK Plymouth.
Attending the launch event: Councillor Patrick Nicholson, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care said: “We are delighted to be making progress on such an important project to support more people to be able to recover from illness and stay well. Partnership working with Age UK Plymouth has been key to getting the project to this stage and we really excited to take the next steps in getting the building ready to support the people of Plymouth.”
Age UK Plymouth Chair, Liz Edwards-Smith said: “Trustees are delighted that work is commencing on the short-term care centre. We are pleased to have been able to work with partners in the city to develop a facility that will offer those in later life a chance to regain their strength and confidence before returning home to continue to live as independently as possible.”
Age UK Plymouth’s new Chief Executive Officer, David Wood said:“The short term care centre will act as a catalyst as we look to enhance and develop the services we offer to those in later life in Plymouth. We are determined to contribute more extensively and to positively impact on older people’s quality of life in our communities.”
Business Manager Clinton Brewer who overseeing this important project commented: “Ian Williams has been a long-term employer in Plymouth for the last 40 years. We are extremely proud to be supporting this project. We currently employ 64 colleagues including 50 trade operatives with various skillsets including multi-trade, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, plasterers, tilers, roofers and decorators. We are also proud to have eight apprentices and two Trainee Surveyors taking their first steps on the career ladder in Plymouth with our business”.
