Beaconsfield Activity Centre awarded funds to expand

Bradbury House receives a £40k grant from the Wolfson Foundation

The purpose-built Activity Centre attached to Bradbury House is a space where residents and day care visitors enjoy a variety of activities. However, the building was identified by the Society’s Trustees as in need of renovation and expansion, to facilitate the increased day care provision desperately needed in the local community.

Local GP, Dr Matthew Robinson says, “Such day care is an incredibly important resource for our local population. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, we recognised that loneliness and isolation were a major burden on our elderly patients and one of the key determinants of ill health.” 

The expanded and renovated centre will give support, companionship and stimulation for local older people who want to remain in their own home but alleviate any feelings of isolation.

Work includes significant remodelling, refurbishment, and installation of new equipment and furniture to create a larger activity room, and a new snug area for more intimate group activities. Additionally, there will be a larger hairdressing and therapy room, a new office and a kitchen. In the gardens, wheelchair accessible decking will enable residents and visitors to enjoy outdoor activities, lunch, or just relax and socialise. The car park will be extended to allow the safe arrival of more day care visitors.

This will offer choice for local residents and their families, and we are extremely grateful to the Wolfson Foundation for providing us with their valuable support. — Abbeyfield Beaconsfield Chairman, Rod Marsden

Despite having sourced much of the required funds already,  and having put into place contingency plans and financial projections, additional fundraising was necessary to achieve the Trustees’ vision.

With the support of The Abbeyfield Society, Abbeyfield Beaconsfield approach the Wolfson Foundation, a grant-making charity that offers funding across a variety of initiatives including health, science and community. The £40,000 grant was awarded in January.

Abbeyfield Beaconsfield Chairman, Rod Marsden, said, “It has been a particularly challenging time for care homes and our residents. We understand like never before just how important our care is. By upgrading our provision significantly, we will be able to give the best possible support to both our residents and day care visitors.”

Building work is underway, with completion due in spring 2022.

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