A community centre that provides support and advice to children and families who need extra help is set for a £900,000 upgrade.
Oxford’s Cuddesdon Corner Family Centre in Cuddesdon Way in Blackbird Leys will be extended and reconfigured to house both the county council’s family solutions service and the Oxfordshire Hospital School.
The building has been vacant since the pandemic when the family solutions team moved to alternative accommodation.
Oxfordshire Hospital School, which serves children and young people who are unable to attend their home school due to medical and mental health needs, has been using a temporary base provided by St Nicolas Primary School in Marston in Oxford.
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The school had to move from its previous accommodation to provide the Department for Education with a vacant possession to build The Swan School and rebuild Meadowbrook College.
Family solutions will use the space to provide key support for local families, including a play and learn space and supervised contact rooms.
The Oxfordshire Hospital School will base their business support team on site, as well as using the facility to offer virtual teaching to children as part of its outreach work.
Construction will be led by contractor ODS starting in November with completion aimed for summer 2024.
Councillor John Howson, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for children, education and young people’s services, said: “Cuddesdon Corner Family Centre will become an even more prominent focal point for families of children receiving support from Oxfordshire County Council, as well an important hub for the Oxfordshire Hospital School.
“Through spacious play and learn space and supervised contact rooms, we will provide first class, safe environments for children, young people and their families.”
ODS will be adding three single-storey brick extensions that will provide activity and conference space, and room for a disability platform lift giving access to the first floor.
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The existing building and extensions will have double-glazed aluminium windows and the mechanical and electrical systems will be completely upgraded, with the installation of new air source heat pumps.
Other refurbishments will include a new staff kitchen.
The project is jointly funded by Oxfordshire County Council and the government’s Education and Skills Funding Agency.
Mitch Carter, associate director of construction, from ODS, said: “We are thrilled to be undertaking the refurbishment of Cuddesdon Corner Family Centre, which will have a profound impact on the families across Oxfordshire ensuring they have access to vital resources.
"Together, we are building a brighter future for our communities.”
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