THE BRIEF
Client and Location: The Convent, Oakwood, Derby
Sector: Healthcare
Services Provided: Building Consultancy: Design and Project Management
Challenge: Transforming a £1.8 million former convent into a state-of-the-art rehabilitation facility for Phoenix Futures, a charity and housing association.
Client Testimonial
“We are grateful to Innes England’s careful work on the project. Everything has been designed with residents in mind – it includes a psychologically-informed layout and awareness of accessibility needs as well as separate male and female areas.
We are now planning the final preparations to offer an outstanding quality of service so that the people who come here can go on to have happy, healthy lives.”
The Solution
Overseeing the renovation and refurbishment of the facility:
Project management: Led by Associate Director Trish Topliss, the Building Consultancy team at Innes England managed the entire refurbishment project.
Preserving historical architecture: Carefully navigated the unique challenges of the 300-year-old Georgian building, ensuring modern installations like electrics were sensitively integrated.
Collaborative approach: Worked closely with Phoenix Futures, health commissioning teams, and service users to tailor the facility to specific needs.
Design and installation: The convent was redesigned to include new en suite bedrooms, a modern kitchen, and the transformation of the chapel into a discussion and breakout room.
The Results
Completed rehabilitation facility: Successfully transformed the convent into a 38-room rehabilitation centre, equipped with modern amenities while retaining its historical charm.
Timely and high standard delivery: The project was delivered on time and to the highest standard, despite the complexities of working with Georgian architecture.
Community impact: The facility will significantly impact the community by providing essential services for vulnerable individuals recovering from addiction.
Innovative design: The centre features a psychologically-informed layout, with attention to accessibility needs and separate areas for different genders.
Trish Topliss, Associate Director, Innes England:
“It’s been exciting to see this beautiful building develop. The fact that it is around 300 years old means there were some unique obstacles to overcome.”
James Armstrong, Phoenix Futures:
“Everyone has potential to make change. This residential service is designed for people who have struggled to access treatment and make the changes they desire in the community. It is one of the only residential facilities to offer support for drug, alcohol and mental health needs on one site.
“For the last decade residential treatment services have been closing due to lack of funding. This will be the first since the new drug strategy was introduced to address the inequality of access for people with more complex needs.
“We will work with partners to provide therapeutic support on a one-to-one and group basis, with professional support workers, to help reduce the blame and shame there can be around addiction.
“Residents will be encouraged to support each other and to develop their living skills by being involved in running some aspects of the building, working together as a self-supported community to achieve positive results.
“The building had lots about it that was really promising and it had previously been used as a care facility – but it still needed work.
“We are grateful to Innes England’s careful work on the project. Everything has been designed with residents in mind. We are now planning the final preparations to offer an outstanding quality of service so that the people who come here can go on to have happy, healthy lives.”
Conclusion
The transformation of The Convent into a rehabilitation facility demonstrates Innes England’s exceptional capabilities in building consultancy, particularly in managing complex renovation projects that blend modern requirements with historical preservation. This work has not only given new life to a heritage building but also contributed significantly to the community by creating a much-needed facility for those recovering from addiction. This project underscores Innes England’s ability to deliver high-quality, impactful outcomes through collaborative and expert-led building consultancy services.