WORK STARTS ON THE NEW PENKFORD SCHOOL
NATIONAL MUSEUMS LIVERPOOL PARTNER WITH WELSH GOVERNMENT FOR DEMENTIA AWARENESS PROJECT
Staff and pupils from the school had the chance to see the work for themselves when they paid a visit to the school ’ s new home at the former Red Bank Education Unit in Newton-le-Willows with members of St Helens Borough Council ’ s Cabinet .
Contractor Galliford Try will complete the transformation of the site so that the maintained special school can continue to support young people from across the borough .
The council approved the £ 7.6m project in September 2020 which will see the vacant site brought back to life with the extension of the existing building to create a more therapeutic learning environment , incorporating new learning spaces as well as a dining and multipurpose sports hall . The works also include a new playing field , sports pitch , car park , fencing and amended access from Winwick Road . As part of the contract Galliford Try will also deliver more than 20 projects aimed at supporting the wider community and delivering social value for the area . Among those is an exciting community project with Wargrave Special Educational Needs School to create an outdoor classroom and community café .
Councillor Kate Groucutt , Cabinet Member for Education , Skills and Business , said : “ It ’ s fantastic to finally see work starting on this exciting project that will support young people across our borough who need the specialist care and education that Penkford provides . We are committed to make sure every child in our borough gets the best start in life so now it ’ s great to see ideas we have been talking about coming to life . We ’ re also delighted that Galliford Try are connecting with the wider community in Newton-le-Willows and are delivering a range of projects to support other schools and groups in the area .”
Darren Parker , Managing Director for Galliford Try Building North West , commented : “ Social value is one of the key elements of Galliford Try ’ s Sustainable Growth Strategy and we are excited to be able to implement such a fantastic programme alongside the Penkford School . Not only will that value provide a lasting benefit to the local community going forward , but the new school is set to be a high-quality facility that will help provide the welcoming educational environment these students deserve .”
National Museums Liverpool ( NML ) has secured funding to deliver House of Memories Cymru in partnership with the Welsh Government , helping to support communities and individuals across Wales living with dementia .
House of Memories Cymru will be designed with House of Memories – National Museums Liverpool ’ s multi-award-winning dementia awareness programme . The programme plans to connect Welsh museums with the health and social care sector , supporting isolated older people and those living with dementia . Through the production of a bespoke new package within the My House of Memories app – which will be available in both English and Welsh - users will engage in a range of activities . Using items from community and museum collections across Wales to spark memories and conversation with family and loved ones , the project will enable those living with dementia to engage with familiar and untold stories , as well as preserve their own memories . People can also get involved with House of Memories Cymru by taking part in digital training sessions and live workshops for family , friends and carers – all of which will equip users with resources for living well with dementia .
Laura Pye , Director of National Museums Liverpool , said : “ From the Scottish Highlands to York , the United States to Singapore , House of Memories has worked throughout the world to bring museum resources to isolated communities and those living with dementia . I ’ m thrilled that House of Memories is now partnering with the Welsh Government on House of Memories Cymru – a project which I am confident will really benefit those living with dementia across Wales , as well as support the Welsh Government ’ s commitment to living and ageing well .”
Carol Rogers MBE , Director of House of Memories , said : “ We believe House of Memories Cymru will be incredibly helpful in tackling pre-existing health inequalities , as well as furthering understanding of dementia as a whole through our work with families and carers . By developing community engagement in this way and linking communities with museums across Wales , we hope to promote a culturally rich and healthy lifestyle for those living with dementia – fostering health and wellbeing .”
Discover the full story of House of Memories and download the My House of Memories app here : www . liverpoolmuseums . org . uk / houseof-memories merseylife . com 11