Patients at St Andrew's Healthcare in Birmingham will be able to gain new skills and build their confidence once a new vocational centre opens this summer.
The expansion will be replicate our centre in Northampton, offering St Andrew's patients the chance to learn and develop work and life skills through a broad range of vocational activities.
Once it opens, our Birmingham centre will be fully equipped with everything needed for creative activities such as woodwork, textiles, card making, design and print. Small groups of patients will be able to learn in a supportive environment, with both morning and afternoon sessions held throughout the week.
Becky Chapman, Service Manager, is looking forward to the new development. She commented: “We are so excited to be opening Workbridge in Birmingham. On the Northampton site we see, on a day to day basis, the enjoyment and satisfaction our patients get from learning new skills and achieving their goals. To now be able to offer this to our patients in Birmingham is fantastic.”
Patients in Birmingham are excited for the opening. “Workbridge has given me lots of horizons for doing things” said one, and another: “Workbridge is your imagination.”
The building is being constructed as a timber and cladded framed pod, built off site and craned into position in early summer.
St Andrew's patients are enjoying the opportunity to get involved in the projects’ planning; some will be involved in the official naming of the unit, while others will be creating signage and interior artwork. The grounds and horticulture teams are also working with our patients to complete some of the soft landscaping around the pod, planting shrubs and trees to make it feel inviting.
Our Birmingham grand opening will take place in early August.
