A £3m health and well-being investment is announced for Shipley

A new project with a focus on Health, Well-being and Community has been given the go-ahead in Shipley, with the signing of a £3m funding agreement.

The investment from the Shipley Towns Fund will transform The Old School building on Farfield Road, currently owned by mental health charity, The Cellar Trust, with plans for a full refurbishment. These include landscaping in the grounds to create a well-being garden which will be accessible to the public.

The new facility will continue to be run by well-established founding member charity, The Cellar Trust alongside strategic charity partner HALE, also based in Shipley. Its mission will be to provide health and well-being services by working with a range of services from the voluntary sector, public sector and social enterprise in one inclusive, welcoming and accessible place.

The Cellar Trust CEO Kim Shutler said: “We have an established track record of successfully delivering specialist mental health support. We already work in partnership with many organisations across the district. We’re excited for this new opportunity to create even more partnerships and support smaller grass roots organisations, who may not easily have access to such facilities, all with the aim of supporting more people across Shipley especially those who are vulnerable and lonely.

“We’ll be making good use of the improved facilities with the access to green space and the opportunity for classes and activities. This is a fantastic boost for the people of Shipley.”

Services will be available for the whole community and will particularly focus on supporting vulnerable people. There will be large rooms for groups and events, smaller activity rooms, consulting rooms for clinical and non-clinical interventions as well as a multi-faith and contemplation space.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “The new community development will deliver improved access to mental and physical health services and will support the well-being of our community. It will be an invaluable facility offering increased classes, activities and events as well as meeting spaces.”

Chairman of Shipley Towns Fund Adam Clerkin added: “We are pleased to support this incredible project, which will change people’s lives. It will provide a wide range of integrated support services, delivered by a skilled workforce and a team of volunteers who are trained in engaging, assessing, motivating and giving people the tools to improve their health and well-being.”

Office and co-working space has been set aside for health and well-being providers and social enterprises. The atrium entrance space and welcome area will include an informal seating area and open-access café as well as IT facilities. The space will be accessible to all, and will provide a range of services for all ages.

More information

On top of the £3m funding to be received through the Towns Fund, an additional £600k funding has been sourced through match funding, by way of building collateral from The Cellar Trust.

The £3m funding is part of the Towns Fund which is a Government-funded support programme to boost the economies of towns across the UK, as part of its Levelling Up plan. The scheme has secured £25m for projects in Shipley and the new Health, Wellbeing and Community development is part of this.

Image: Architect’s impression, from RBS Architects, Saltaire.