Work is set to start on a new-look coffee lounge at Tickhill Road Hospital in Balby.
On Tuesday 8 March the existing coffee shop to the left of the hospital entrance closed for refurbishment work to make way for the brand new coffee lounge, which will provide patients, visitors, volunteers and staff with a modern facility to relax, enjoy high quality barista-style coffees, speciality teas and a whole range of other refreshments, along with access to healthy hot and cold snacks.
And it’s not just customers who will benefit from the new café. The WellBean Coffee Lounge will offer a place for recovery and wellbeing to volunteers and carers, who will also be provided with the opportunity to follow a vocational pathway.
Lisa Grandcourt, Head of Facilities for Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH), the Trust which runs the hospital said : “This is an exciting collaboration for RDaSH, which sees us working in partnership with community interest company Flourish Enterprises and Aspire Drug and Alcohol Service to offer a range of opportunities for volunteers and carers to get involved in food preparation, vocational training such as food hygiene, health and safety, as well as learning key skills in working with people at all levels.
“We are also creating a brand new vending machine area opposite the coffee lounge, providing visitors and staff with access to healthy snacks and drinks 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
Flourish Enterprises Operational Manager Wendy Parkes said: “We’re delighted to be involved in this exciting new initiative.
“We recently took over the café at The Woodlands unit for people aged over 65 who have mental health needs, run by RDaSH in Rotherham and this project fits perfectly with our work to create opportunities for people who need support to get back into education or employment.”
Aspire Service Manager Stuart Green added: “We have a thriving network of peer mentors and volunteers in Doncaster and the WellBean Coffee Lounge has the opportunity to provide a platform to support people to recover and thrive in the wider community. We hope it will help break down stigma about services and volunteering as well as offer a place for people to connect learn and relax.”
During the works, soft drinks and snacks are available at the Tickhill Road Hospital gift shop. Alternatively, Flourish Enterprise’s Victorian Tea Rooms at St Catherine’s House on the Woodfield Park site provides a range of freshly prepared meals and refreshments.
Visitors can also use the hospital’s Food and Drink Café, which will also continue to operate as normal serving breakfasts, lunches, sandwiches and drinks until 2pm every week day.
A safe walkway will be maintained for the duration of the works to create the new coffee lounge to enable patients, visitors and staff to access the wards, clinics and departments of Tickhill Road Hospital.
RDaSH is working with patients and partners to develop the WellBean Coffee Lounge and anyone who would like to have a look at the 3D design plans can visit the RDaSH website at www.rdash.nhs.uk
