Holy Nativity, Chapel House

Great North Runner still running!
Press Release

In response to local pressure to keep our doctors within the heart of the community, a unique opportunity has emerged for a ground-breaking project within Chapel House.

The proposals for a new health centre and community facilities bring together statutory, business and voluntary sectors as development partners. The partnership between Ashley House plc (working on behalf of the health services), Dementia Care Partnership (DCP), the local parish Church of the Holy Nativity and residents, will create facilities which will contribute to the sustainability of the local community and essential services.

The proposed development, following a long period of discussion between the Primary Care Trust (PCT), local community representatives and the city council, would be sited between the shops and the church, linking health, welfare, social and community services. Two local GP surgeries, the local dentist and Dementia Care Partnership would share the health centre facilities. New supported homes for DCP clients would be built. Community ‘drop-in’ and meeting facilities would be provided by church and DCP working in partnership.

Rani Svanberg, Chief Executive of Dementia Care Partnership, (which runs the Bradbury Centre in Brunswick village) observes: “From DCP’s point of view we see the partnership working with the medical centre (PCT), the Holy Nativity Church, the council and the local community as crucial and very much in line with the government agenda nationally and with Newcastle City Council’s various strategies.”

The initiative responds not only to local needs but also to national and local government strategies and to department of health social pathfinder objectives. The integral church community project has been awarded a development grant from Big Lottery Community Buildings Fund to enable planning permission to be sought and a business plan prepared for the capital bid.

Local responses to the news include:

“Fantastic news – really delighted! This community needs these facilities so much. Well done and best of luck!”
Dorothy Gray, resident and chair of CHADCA (Chapel House and District Community Association)

“At long last! Wonderful news for the community! Good luck with stage 2 of the Lottery bid.”
George from the famous local hardware shop

“There is such a need for the facilities and support the project is seeking to provide. I do hope it happens.”
Carole Lawson, long term carer and resident

“We are still running a marathon but the Great North Run was an encouragement to believe the project is not beyond our capabilities.”
Anne, a retired local resident who ran the Great North Run to raise over £10,000 for the church community part of the project, and who was featured in the Evening Chronicle ‘Your Life: We’re all in the running‘ article in September 2007.

Knop Law and Milecastle Primary schools have helped to fund community newsletters and hosted open consultation events. They are keen to become involved with the new opportunities that the project will offer.

Open Week
The Project Development Group is hosting an open week in the church of the Holy Nativity, Chapel House in order to fully engage with the community. Proposed plans will be available and representatives on site to answer questions and receive responses.

The church will be open between 9.30am and 4.30pm daily from Tuesday 26th February until Friday 29th February. During the following times representatives will give presentations and respond to questions:

Tuesday 26th from 2.00pm – 3.30pm
Wednesday 27th from 2.00pm – 3.30pm
Wednesday 27th from 6.30pm – 8.00pm
Thursday 28th from 6.30pm – 8.00pm
Friday 29th from 10.30am – 11.30am

Fair Trade refreshments will be available as well as a stall of Fair Trade goods.

From Sana Alnaimi, architect: “I am very passionate about this project and I hope we get the positive response we all are working hard to get.”

The attached photograph is The Carer’s Banner (made by carers) in Holy Nativity Church. From left to right: Brian Allen, Chaplain in Mental Health; Dorothy Walker, local project team; Derek Marr, local project team; Carole Lawson, resident and carer; Jane Sivell, Newcastle Carers Centre; Andy Bowden, neighbouring parish; Barbara Quinn, Carer Support Worker; Jacqueline Rainford, resident.

For further information please contact Anne Marr, Holy Nativity local project co-ordinator, on 0191 267 4808 or via anne.marr@tiscali.co.uk.