A new community-facing NHS mental health rehabilitation centre has opened its doors.

The refurbishment of the Wesham Rehabilitation Centre was undertaken by Preston’s Eric Wright Construction and will be run by the Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (LSCft).

The new service is based at the former Wesham Hospital Rehabilitation site on Mowbreck Lane and will provide a bridge between acute care and community living.

Director of operations for Fylde Coast, Joanna Stark, said: “I am really proud to have been involved in the Wesham project.

"Everyone has come together to finally make the Rehabilitation Centre a reality, it’s been a real team effort.

"It’s just the start of our journey together and we are looking forward to working closely with the local community.”

The project, which has been managed between LSCft, Healthcare Support and Infrastructure Services (HSIS), Frank Whittle and contractors Eric Wright Construction, is an integral part to the Trust’s mental health rehab and recovery transformation work.

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James Eager from Eric Wright Construction added: “This is another fabulous health resource for the people of Preston and it is great to see the fit out complete and the building ready for use.

"We are bringing forward many health and community projects across the region for the NHS which are helping to enrich people’s lives from GP surgeries to diagnostic units and we’re very proud to have been able to help transform this building into such a valuable community resource.”

Prior to the opening, the Trust ran its mental health rehabilitation service through its Skylark Centre at Royal Preston Hospital.

Skylark Centre was purpose built as an interim rehabilitation offering while Wesham was under development.

The Wesham Centre moves away from the clinical setting and into a residential community space, a project designed with input from existing service users.

This new high-quality environment is a key part in the programme’s success and comfortability of its residents as they work to regain their independence.

The centre, which can accommodate 28 people, includes treatment rooms, living space, therapy gardens and community café at the entrance.

It will offer service users a holistic approach including learning opportunities that help lead people towards happier and more fulfilling lives with the opportunity to regain skills and confidence with everyday tasks such as cooking, cleaning and looking after their own health and wellbeing.