Yalding Centre refurbishment

July 2017 saw the temporary closure of the Yalding Healthy Living Centre, whilst the building was refurbished. In just two weeks, Connor Lambourne and his team from Wilmott Dixon Interiors showed that with the right plan anything is possible, and the results were spectacular.

The reopening of the Yalding Centre was just as noteworthy with many special guests joining the staff and centre users at Yalding to celebrate its transformation, including the Mayor, Cllr Charlie Smith; the Deputy Mayor of London for Social Integration, Social Inclusion and Community Engagement, Andrew Waite; and Dee Russell, Pearly Queen of Chelsea.

During the refurbishment the Willmott Dixon trainees will be revamped the whole building including installing new floors, a new salon and redesiged the kitchen to increase its capacity and reduce its energy consumption and accommodate cooking classes for the local community. Work in the garden included building walking paths, allotments and a memory garden to help members of the centre who have Alzheimer’s and Dementia. The garden will also be open to the wider local community and a gardening club.

Thames Reach were also involved in the refurbishment project. Willmott Dixon have worked with their Employment Academy and the graduates of their Moving In Moving On (MIMO) programme, helping disadvantaged, homeless and excluded women back into work. This provides an opportunity for participants to gain valuable work experience, build their CVs and have a better chance of finding future employment. A weeks training was provided prior to the project to enable students to gain qualifications and trade skills. Once the project at the centre was been completed, employment opportunities have been secured for all involved including painting and decorating apprenticeships, a surveying placement and work experience with the Willmott Dixon Community Investment Manager.