We have been working in partnership with Manchester City Council and Grater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH) to invest over £900,000 into the former Harpurhey Wellbeing Centre which will be a vital community resource and now provide NHS services for Harpurhey and the North Manchester area. No.93 will host community activities, volunteer led groups and also has an exercise room and creative arts space open to everyone including centre users, local groups and residents in the wider community. Additionally the new centre has outdoor space where gardening clubs will take place.
The financial investment will also provide further investment in mental health through Improving Access to Psychological Therapies, with No.93 providing an NHS psychological therapies service for the community with the introduction of nine dedicated therapy rooms together with a group room, making the centre an inclusive space and a place to challenge stigma associated with mental health generally.
With consultation and engagement sessions beginning in November 2017, centre users and residents have been an integral part of the redevelopment process being involved in shortlisting the architects, interviewing the shortlisted agencies and selecting the final design. Community leaders have been essential members of the project team representing the views of the local people. There have been multiple engagement workshops with centre users and the wider Harpurhey community including the naming of the centre and artwork to be included in the final design.
Deborah Partington, Director of Operations at Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Greater Manchester Mental Health Trust are proud to be part of this redevelopment in Harpurhey which see the investment of £930,000 into a fantastic community resource, No.93. Local residents and centre users have been involved in the process since the beginning and are central to the future development and sustainability of the centre.
“Thank you to all the centre users and volunteers, residents and staff who have been working hard to ensure No.93 is there for generations to come.”
Manchester City Councillor Bev Craig, Executive Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing, said: “In Manchester we are proud that we are investing in our mental health services across the city. This investment in North Manchester will see great benefits for the local community, with improved access to services and community facilities. Working alongside the local community and groups already using the building, No.93 will be a valuable community resource for years to come. This is just one example of the kind of work we are doing in Manchester to improve the health and wellbeing of Manchester people”.
Gilling Dod Architects and D&G Builders & Joiners Ltd were appointed to undertake design and construction works which completed on time at the end of June 2019. Following a commissioning period, No.93 will open to the public on 22 July and a community event is planned for early Autumn.
Images of how no.93 now looks below courtesy of Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
