This week (5-9 May 2025) is the last Maternal Mental Health Week before Seren Lodge opens later this year. To mark the occasion, local women with lived experience of perinatal mental health visited the construction site to see how work is progressing and to hear the latest updates.
Jen, Expert by Experience, explains: “Being part of the interior design process and seeing how much care and detail has gone into the design of the facility, it was such a powerful and emotional experience knowing just what having this facility here will mean for so many Mums and families for years to come.”
Once open, Seren Lodge will provide a home from home for women and their babies in a therapeutic environment at a time when they need it most during mental health crisis.
Graham, CWP Capital Project Manager, adds “The unit has been purposefully designed with people who have experienced maternal mental health difficulties and admission to other units across the country. This has provided invaluable insight into how patient experience can be improved through design and thoughtful planning. What has come across strongly is the importance of creating a calm and reassuring space, but also that small details can make a big difference. We know that coming into hospital can be disorientating and our project ambition is to make the transition as easy as we can for people.”
The £7.5m single storey building will be the first of its kind across Cheshire, Merseyside, and North Wales. The build is progressing at speed with the former training centre has undergoing major remodelling works including a new roof and structural flooring installation. This, along with the newly installed fireproofing works will contribute to the highest standard of safety for patients and staff. Works are now concentrating on the two new-build extension elements, as well as internal walls, services installation and extensive landscaping to provide two large garden spaces.
Other key areas of the design include:
- All eight bedrooms have an en-suite to promote dignity and privacy with one bedroom specifically designed to cater for a family with twins or multiples.
- A sensory room and multiple lounges to support quiet time, family visits and promote recovery.
- Access to outside spaces with two garden areas and a walking pram loop in addition to families benefitting from close access to the Countess Country Park.
You can find out more about Seren Lodge here.
