Hamberley Development - Inspire Neurocare

Hamberley is a leading developer of specialist care facilities in the UK.

J Tomlinson were appointed by Hamberley to manage the design of a 43-bed neurological care centre based in Worcestershire ,West Midlands, which would become the UK’s first Inspire Neurocare facility featuring lounging, dining facilities, communal spaces, en-suite bedrooms, a physiotherapy gym, private counsulting and therapy rooms, as well as one-bedroom independent living flats for individuals on a rehabilitation pathway.

The project involved significant landscaping and service works, including the creation of car parking facilities and a picturesque garden area, and was delivered on budget and to a high-quality finish.

Inspire Neurocare marks the third specialist care development that J Tomlinson has undertaken in partnership with Hamberley, with previous successfully-delivered schemes including the design and build of Gracewell of Sutton Coldfield - a 65-bed care home and conservative club pavillion - as well as the construction of 70-bed Oxfordshire-based Chawley Grove Care Home.

Considerate construction

Based in the centre of a residential area, the construction site was formerly home to a popular Worcester pub that closed its doors in 2017. Upon organising controlled demolition of the old building. J Tomlinson engaged with neighbouring residents to brief them on the upcoming construction works and key milestones. This contact was maintained throughout the project via face-to-face contact and letter deliveries, with J Tomlinson working hard to ensure minimal disruption via pre-arranged, just-in-time material deliveries as well as the implementation of noise and dust minimisation techniques.

Designed with expert knowledge of neurorehabilitation

All areas were designed in compliance with acute hospital, Health Building Note standards, with J Tomlinson working closely with the design and wider project teams to construct a modern, open-plan facility that supports the delivery of excellent neurological rehabilitation, and care services. As well as being wheelchair accessible throughout, the home’s user-centric design benefits from wide corridors, assistive technologies, underfloor heating, specialist hoists, as well as anti-ligature rooms to help prevent accidents.

Energy efficiency

The home benefits from a highly energy efficient design, featuring combined heat and power (CHP) - a low carbon process that captures and uses the heat that is a by-product of the electricity generation process - as well as LED lighting throughout. In addition, high density full fill cavity insulation was used throughout the scheme, which will keep the facility and its residents and staff warm during the winter months.

High-quality finish

The facility was handed over in early 2019 and unveiled to health and social care stakeholders, local residents, and the wider community with a grand-opening event. Completed to the client’s budget, the modern, purpose-built facility features lounges, dining facilities, and communal spaces, with an en-suite toilet and wet room in each bedroom.

Over 60 local jobs were created as part of the development, including care, therapy, nursing, catering, reception, and house-keeping roles.

• THIRD PROJECT UNDERTAKEN IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CLIENT - having successfully undertaken multiple extra care construction schemes in partnership with Hamberley, J Tomlinson were highly familiar with the client’s visions and working methodologies, which was instrumental in helping to ensure successful delivery of works.

• HBN-COMPLIANT, USER-CENTRIC DESIGN - J Tomlinson worked closely with the wider design team (including neurorehabilitation experts) to ensure all resident areas were designed in compliance with acute hospital, Health Building Note (HBN) standards, supporting the delivery of cutting-edge neurological rehabilitation and car services.

• VALUE ENGINEERING - a client saving of £50k was achieved via careful value engineering at design stage, including the rationalisation of the scheme’s initial drainage design and levels.

• CONSIDERATE CONSTRUCTORS - J Tomlinson enjoyed positive relationships with neighbours throughout the scheme, undertaking several goodwill gestures, including material donations and the rebuilding of a garden wall.