ellenor has appointed Barnes Construction to build and deliver its new Wellbeing Wing. The project will expand ellenor’s Northfleet, Kent-based hospice with a wealth of modern, improved facilities – all of which are set to benefit the charity’s patients, families, staff, and volunteers.
ellenor’s new Wellbeing Wing will enable the charity to continue and grow its support for people living with life-limiting conditions – such as heart failure, dementia, muscular dystrophy, Parkinson’s and motor neurone disease (MND) – to live the best they can with the time they have left.
The expanded facilities will extend ellenor’s space for providing all wellbeing services – such as new outpatient consultation rooms, counselling room, occupational therapy and complementary therapies, improved play therapy rooms for children, quiet spaces for patients and their families, as well as a large multipurpose area for a range of activities to support patients to maintain their independence and maximise their quality of life. This Wing will also serve as a place for health and social care professionals to receive education and training in palliative and end-of-life care.
Barnes Construction has, over their 45 year history, delivered numerous healthcare schemes. Of particular relevance are the Arthur Rank Hospice in Cambridge, the East Anglian Children’s Hospice in Ipswich, the Fair Havens Hospice in Southend, and the new St Catherine’s Hospice currently being built in Crawley.
It also recently completed the new health and wellbeing quarter at the University of Suffolk – a purpose-built space for healthcare students and professionals, designed to mirror the kind of facilities found in hospitals, clinics, and laboratories.
“We’re thrilled to announce that Barnes Construction will be building our new Wellbeing Wing,” says ellenor CEO Paula Wilkins. “The company has a strong track record of delivering projects on time, on budget and to reliable, rigorously high standards. The company’s professionalism and pedigree, particularly in terms of its high-profile developments in the health sector, are outstanding.
“All of us here at ellenor are looking forward to our new Wellbeing Wing taking shape allowing us to work in partnership with even more patients, to maximise their quality
of life. We also want to acknowledge the generosity of our local communities who have, be it through private donations or personal gifts, made this extension possible. And express our gratitude to our passionate patrons, supporters, and ambassadors within the local community – all of whom strive tirelessly to raise vital funds for, and awareness of, ellenor’s work throughout Kent and Bexley.”
Mark Hart, joint Managing Director at Barnes Construction commented: “We are delighted to be involved in this exciting scheme for ellenor, which will provide specialist care in the community, and that we are sure will be well received. It also gives us the opportunity to further develop our excellent track record in this specialised market.”
Barnes Construction will be collaborating on the development of ellenor’s Wellbeing Centre with R H Partnership, Northmores and Faithful + Gould.
Starting on the 6th March 2023, preliminary work includes the refurbishment of ellenor’s existing ambulance entrance and car park. Construction of the two-storey extension that will become ellenor’s Wellbeing Centre will start on the 9th May.
ellenor would like to acknowledge our supporters, without whom this project would not have been possible. In particular, we would like to thank the Colyer-Fergusson Charitable Trust, Paul & Clare Rooney, the Lawson Trust and the Bernard Sunley Foundation for their generous support of our capital build.