16th July 2009 - Broadcaster Richard Hammond paid a special visit to The Children's Trust to open the brand new residential rehabilitation centre. He had recently become a Vice-President of The Children's Trust and it was the first time he had formalised his relationship with a charity.

"I know only too well the challenges people face following a severe brain injury, but for a child there are extra dimensions because their brains are still developing. This amazing new building will help The Children's Trust’s specially trained staff give these children the best chance of rebuilding their lives."

Read about the opening - The Childrens Trust.

The £7 million centre, funded entirely by voluntary donations, will enable them to help even more children from across the UK rebuild their lives after sustaining a devastating brain injury as a result of a tragic accident or severe illness.

Andrew Ross, Chief Executive of The Children's Trust, said:

"We now have a superb, purpose-designed new centre - with an integrated hydrotherapy facility which is fully equipped for the children’s specialist medical needs. This new Centre will offer specialist care to children with acquired brain injuries from all over the UK, and will make a huge difference to the quality of life and their enjoyment of the time they spend at the Trust."
Read about the opening - The Childrens Trust.

The layout of the building developed in response to an evolving brief and a constrained site. The building provides specialised residential care facilities with support administrative accommodation and a hydrotherapy centre.

Main living areas feature large windows and at ground floor, sliding-folding doors opening onto dedicated play areas and landscaping.

Building materials were selected to compliment those of the Grade I listed mansion and adjacent buildings.

A flat roof was adopted at an early stage in the design to allow for a low profile two-storey building taking account of planning constraints.

Colourful circulation areas are bright and welcoming and incorporate curved translucent Kalwall fenestration. The use of colour and form is important within the building to aid way finding.

An under-floor guided wheelchair mobility system allows children to develop independence and navigate between rooms unaided.

Living and dining areas are designed to accommodate the needs of children across all ages. There are dedicated rooms for play, a teenager's den and a multi-sensory room.

In addition to offices for nurses and carers, there are stations in open spaces close to bedrooms for monitoring and attending to children's needs.

Each of the 20 bedrooms has:-

• private washing facilities
• en-suite bathrooms
• ceiling tracking and hoisting systems
• nurse call points
• piped oxygen
• TV and computer facilities

Specific bedrooms are equipped with the 'Possum' system to allow children with limited mobility to control their environment

En-suite bathrooms are fitted out in a variety of ways, using standard and specialist bathing equipment, shower cubicles, wet rooms etc., to cater for all needs. Bathrooms have multi-sensory equipment to further enhance bath times.

Versatile ceiling tracking and hoisting systems connect through from the bedrooms to ensure the comfort and safety of children and staff. Nurse call points connect to adjacent nurse stations.

The new hydrotherapy centre makes a huge difference to the special children at the Trust.

• Overhead tracking and hoisting makes the entire pool area accessible, allows the children more dignity and make sessions much more time efficient

• Sensory lighting projects images and colours on to both the walls of the new centre and the water to create a specific ambience for each child

• Ozone air units purify the water on a continual basis with only a minute amount of chlorine for the greater safety and comfort of the children, ensuring the pool is always safe for the vulnerable children at the Trust

• Floating switches enable children to turn effects, like the Jacuzzi bubbles or music, on and off to better control their environment and further develop their understanding of cause and effect

First floor landing.


An adjacent dedicated flat allows families a valuable transitional period before going home.

External play areas around the building are designed to be fun!

Roof features bring light into the outside play area.
















Photographs:-
Richard Hammond - courtesy of The Children's Trust
Building - Dominic Cole & PDP http://www.dominiccole.co.uk/