WORK to create a new, multi-million pound health and wellbeing centre in Shipley has begun.

The Health, Well-being and Community Campus is being funded by £3m from the Shipley Towns Fund, and is being created through the redevelopment of The Old School building on Farfield Road.

The project will transform the way mental health and well-being services are delivered in Shipley so that people can easily access support which meets their needs, provided by a range of organisations including statutory and voluntary sector partners.

The former school building will be transformed with a complete refurbishment of the old building with the work carried out by local contractors, Whittaker and Leach.

It will include a new atrium, communal space and gardens that will be open to the public as well as users of the new building.

Planning permission for the work was approved in April.

A variety of health and well-being activities, along with early help and prevention support for all age groups, will be available at the state-of-the-art centre.

The new facility will continue to be run by The Cellar Trust.

The Cellar Trust CEO Kim Shutler said: “Our objective is to work in partnership to enhance health and well-being services in Shipley, improving access for local residents.

“The new centre will also serve as a hub for skills development, training, and enterprise through its support for new voluntary, community and social enterprises so they can innovate, collaborate and grow. By bringing people together, we also believe the centre will benefit other local businesses and services in Shipley.”

Chair of the Shipley Towns Fund Board, Adam Clerkin added: “The Shipley Towns Fund board is thrilled at the progress made and excited to see the new facility take shape over the coming months.

“As a result of Government funding, with full support from Bradford Council, The Cellar Trust team are delivering on their mission to improve mental health support for Shipley and beyond.”

Services will particularly focus on supporting vulnerable people. There will be large rooms for groups and events, smaller activity rooms, consulting rooms for clinical and non-clinical interventions as well as a multi-faith and contemplation space.

Office and co-working space has also been set aside for health and well-being providers and social enterprises.

The Cellar Trust will continue to deliver services from Unit 12 Park View Court, St Paul’s Road, Shipley for the duration of the building work and the new facilities are expected to open in Summer 2025.