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Benwell Centre and Mitchison Court spring open
Published 17.03.2011 14:48
Benwell and Mitchison Court official opening

The official opening of the new Benwell Centre and Mitchison Court in Sunbury took place on Tuesday 15 March. A number of representatives of Spelthorne Council, Surrey County Council, Notting Hill Housing Trust, users and volunteers were there on a beautiful spring day to see the formal opening.

Developed by Spelthorne Council, Notting Hill Housing and Surrey County Council in response to the changing needs of an ageing population, the Benwell Centre is a ‘first in Surrey’. The centre is a modern building with meeting and conference rooms, a restaurant for use by both the community and residents of Mitchison Court, and offering a wide range of activities designed to keep the body and mind active. There are art and computer classes, craft sessions, bingo, belly dancing, line dancing, singing and Tai Chi. The centre also has a community hall, hairdressing and chiropody.

Mitchison Court which is part of the same development is made up of 39 one and two-bedroom apartments specifically designed for people aged over 55 with care or mobility needs. Buyers can choose to receive round the clock care and hotel style services such as cleaning, laundry and meals. The apartments are modern and offer walk-in shower rooms as well as individual living rooms and kitchen areas.

The opening was attended by the local residents and staff who were involved in the project and the centre was officially opened with presentations by Kate Davies, Chief Executive at Notting Hill Housing, Cllr Vivienne Leighton, Liz Borthwick, Assistant Chief Executive at Spelthorne Council and Cllr John Packman, Leader of the Council.

Cllr John Packman said: “This beautiful new building is a tribute to the real and genuine partnership between all those involved and will stand as a testament to all those who, through thick and thin, kept going at difficult times such as the beginning of the recession. Through a combination of stubbornness and a conviction that we were building something of which we could all be proud, we stuck to the task and what you have here before you today is a true community benefit.”
“I would especially like to pay tribute to my colleague Councillor Vivienne Leighton and to Assistant Chief Executive Liz Borthwick, both of whom have been instrumental in making this wonderful centre come to fruition. We all owe them a considerable debt of gratitude for having kept the faith when they were being told that what we had done in closing the old centre was wrong and that there would never be anything worthwhile to replace it. I think what we are standing in this afternoon, gives the lie to that”.

Kate Davies, Notting Hill Housing Chief Executive said:  “I have very much enjoyed working with Spelthorne Council on this successful project and we have come such a long way since our initial meetings in 2007. It is wonderful to see both old clients and new ones coming to the centre and taking advantage of what it has to offer.
“Others have referred to the difficulties we have had but it does show the benefit of trust and confidence – and when those come together truly anything is achievable.”

The Benwell Centre is open Monday to Friday from 9.30am-3.30pm. Call 01932-784232 for more information. For information about Mitchison Court call Notting Hill Housing on 0208 357 4444.

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