The Cove – A Brand New Macmillan Information Centre
Artist’s Impression
A brand new information and support centre is being built in Truro, Cornwall – a facility entirely dedicated to people affected by cancer. The Cove Macmillan Support Centre, in partnership with The Royal Cornwall Hospital NHS Trust, will provide the people of Cornwall with a place that offers support and the centre will provide a wide range of services to make sure those with cancer have the best quality of life.
In addition to funding from Macmillan a £1million fundraising appeal was needed in order for the building to be built, and Macmillan has encouraged local communities to fundraise on their behalf, too. Facilities will include a cancer support and information centre where people can receive advice focusing on the support, grants and benefits they are entitled to; complimentary therapy and counselling support; and a refreshment area for people to relax.
Several years ago a problem came to light – when people had finished their treatment, regardless of the outcome, there wasn’t a follow-up for additional support or advice. This realisation has now turned into a real life plan.
The Cove will be a public building situated within The Royal Cornwall Hospital site in Truro – it is not for referred patients, instead everyone is welcome to walk in and out as they please and need. There will be professionals on hand, as well as councillors and complimentary therapists who will be giving up their time to provide their services.
The main contractors for the build were Kier Group – a leading property, residential, construction and services group. The company operate across a range of sectors including defence, education, housing, industrials, power, transport and utilities. The Group employs over 24,000 people in its operations in the UK, the Caribbean, the Middle East and Hong Kong.
The two-floor construction features three garden areas, as well as purpose specific rooms within the buildings such as therapy rooms, a teenage and young adult room and volunteers areas. The build process was relatively smooth one, except for building regulations compliance which required the windows to be changed from the original design.
The construction work has involved exterior work around the building as well as the centre itself, such as a new retaining wall and bank to form new boundaries to the North West side as well as a new path that defines the route and boundary between Information Centre and The Cove at The Royal Cornwall Hospital. External work also included factory painted timber cladding to the main building and Corten cladding to the lobby both on highly insulated blockwork walls, as well as a powder coated steel standing seam roof and landscape paving and resin bound gravel.
Internally, construction work consisted of a timber floor to the main public area on the ground floor, with either carpet or vinyl to other areas, timber skirting, timber ceiling to the main public area on the ground floor and finally bespoke timber furniture.
The Macmillan Communications Manager, Lorna Allen, told Premier Construction:
“Everybody knows someone who has been affected by cancer, and when you’re in an area such as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly that is rural with a sparse population, it is really important we can have this facility dedicated to supporting people. It can also provide staff that can travel to community centres for drop-in sessions as well.”
Lorna added:
“It is going to improve the lives of people affected by cancer – they will know exactly where to go to get the help they strongly deserve. It is about trying to cut down feelings of isolation so people know they’re not on their own.”
