An old convent has been turned into a rehabilitation facility for people with drug and alcohol addiction following a full refit.
The former Convent of the Holy Name, in Oakwood, Derby, has undergone a £1.8 million refurbishment by East Midlands commercial property agent Innes England for the charity and housing association Phoenix Futures.
The work has seen a new wing added to the Georgian building along with a kitchen for residents, while the chapel has been turned into a meeting and break-out room.
The nuns who previously lived there moved out in May 2021 for a new home in Yorkshire, after more than 30 years in the local community.
Trish Topliss, associate director at Innes England, said it was her first completed project since joining the agency’s building consultancy team earlier this year and she had worked closely with Phoenix Futures and stakeholders including health commissioning teams and service users.
She said: “It’s been exciting to see this beautiful building develop and take shape over the last few months.
“The fact that it is around 300 years old means there were some unique obstacles to overcome in dealing with the Georgian architecture. Some modern installations, such as the electrics, had to be approached with extra care.
“Our team of experts worked diligently to ensure the project was delivered on time and to the highest standard. I’m so glad we’ve been able to step in and help stop it from falling into disrepair after its previous tenants sadly left last year.
“I think that the nuns from the Community of the Holy Name would be glad to see that their home has had its life extended and been converted into a place for healing.”
The rehabilitation centre has 38 private rooms, with a team of staff supporting residents with their psychological and social needs.
James Armstrong, Phoenix Futures’ director of marketing and innovation, said everyone had the potential to change their lives.
He said: “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 last year 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 - it includes a psychologically-informed layout and awareness of accessibility needs as well as separate male and female areas.”
