Contractors have started working on a £5.1million disabled children’s centre in Gloucester which can be enjoyed by families across the county.

The Chamwell Centre Charity has appointed building contractor Speller Metcalfe to deliver the state-of-the-art centre in the grounds of The Milestone School in Longlevens.

The new centre will feature a full-sized hydrotherapy pool to replace the school’s existing pool which was condemned back in 2016.

Since then the charity has been set up with the intention of providing this facility and £4millon has been raised already.

It will also feature a climbing wall, trampolining gym and indoor and outdoor play area and disabled children and adults across the county will be able to use it.

It will also provide inclusive exercise, sports and leisure facilities to support pupils of The Milestone School.

There will also be an exciting two-storey therapeutic soft play and sensory room, designed to be accessible to all, which will provide visitors with opportunities to exercise through play.

Specialist medical facilities at the centre will include consultation rooms for visiting doctors and nurses and a multi-purpose physio and occupational therapy suite.

A large, two-storey atrium including a café are part of the plans and there will be spaces for people to hang out with their friends and family too.

There will also be a ‘Changing Places’ bathroom to ensure the needs of all visitors are catered for.

Construction is due to be completed by early 2020.

Chairwoman of the charity's trustees, Dr Marie Owen, said: "At last the end is in sight. This dream we've had for the past three years is becoming a reality.

"We've had huge support from local groups and charities and that's because this project has really fired the imagination of those people who really want to support this venture.

"I think everybody sees the need for it in Gloucestershire. It's something that's borne out of necessity."

The timecapsule buried underneath the new Chamwell Children's Centre
The timecapsule buried underneath the new Chamwell Children's Centre

The Chamwell Centre Charity Trustees recently held a ceremony on site at The Milestone School to mark the start of the construction phase, with pupils, families, supporters and donors joining together to watch the school’s Head Boy Jack and Girl Mia bury a time-capsule containing special mementos and building plans for the new centre.

Chairwoman of Trustees, Dr Marie Owen thanked the assembled guests for attending and helping reach this significant milestone for the charity.

Dr Marie Owen, chairwoman of the trustees of the Chamwell Children's Charity speaking at the ground-cutting ceremony.
Dr Marie Owen, chairwoman of the trustees of the Chamwell Children's Charity speaking at the ground-cutting ceremony.

She thanked all the those who have donated towards the project.

“This wonderful support has ensured The Chamwell Centre is becoming a reality,” she said.

“This achievement will go a long way toward achieving our vision - to enhance the well-being of those with disability, with opportunities to improve physical fitness, access a range of therapies, sports and leisure activities and to improve wellbeing on a personal and social level.”

Family-owned building contractor Speller Metcalfe, who work from offices in Gloucester, have extensive experience in delivering accessible, extra-care facilities.

They recently built a student accommodation block for young people with disabilities at National Star College in Cheltenham, later named West of England’s Most Inclusive Building.

Joint-owner of Speller Metcalfe, Andy Metcalfe, said: “Speller Metcalfe are delighted to be working on this fantastic project to realise The Chamwell Centre Charity’s vision of a groundbreaking, fully inclusive facility which is set to support the needs and transform the lives of disabled adults and children across Gloucestershire.”

Dr Marie Owen, chairwoman of the Chamwell Centre Appeal.
Dr Marie Owen, chairwoman of the Chamwell Centre Appeal.

Dr Owen said: “The charity very much looks forward to working closely with the Speller Metcalfe team in achieving our vision to enhance the well-being of all those with disability by providing opportunities to improve physical fitness, to access a range of therapies, sports and leisure activities, and to increase social opportunities within The Chamwell Centre.”

A fundraising appeal to support the project was launched by the charity in October 2016 and has received almost £4m of the £5.1m total build cost to date.

To find out more about how to support The Chamwell Centre Charity, visit:  https://chamwellcentre.org.uk/