We’ve set our sights on an ambitious period of growth and expansion in 2024, starting with developing our expert-led brain injury rehabilitation provision. This year, we’re opening three new services across the North of England – providing a total of 47 additional beds for those who need specialist rehabilitation support following a brain injury.

Last year, we shared exciting news about construction beginning at Knot House – our flagship service in the North West, when we celebrated the occasion with a special ground-breaking ceremony. Then we ventured to Chesterfield to report on the grand unlocking of Linnet Mews – our purposely remodelled residential home in Chesterfield.

More recently, our brain injury Operations Team headed North East to commemorate work commencing at the latest addition to our portfolio – Cleadon Court.

Suited and booted

To mark their first site visit of Cleadon Court in January, the team enlisted some expert help. Brian McKay, a person we support from sister service Carville Road, made a special guest appearance to assess the work in progress. Suited and booted in his hard hat and high-visibility jacket, eagle eyed Brian – who used to work full time as a Chartered Surveyor before his brain injury – set about inspecting the work in progress.

Scanning the site with a fine-tooth comb, Brian enthusiastically provided Voyage Care’s Property Development Manager, Karen Beydoun, and Jennor Construction Site Manager Colin O’Donnell, with his expert feedback. Brian praised the team for their efforts to accommodate the needs of those with brain injuries, and beamed with confidence that they were on course to achieve their target completion date of late Spring.   

Connecting the dots

Cleadon Court indicates an exciting period of change for those who have suffered brain injuries in the local area and beyond. Located within a vibrant community in the heart of South Shields, it’s perfectly positioned to deliver our active rehabilitation approach. Focusing on functional support and active participation, future housemates will be the architects of their futures, empowered by expertly trained staff to redesign their outcomes.

Currently undergoing reconstruction, Cleadon Court will feature eight purposely designed ensuite bedrooms, offering residential support to individuals in the early stages of their rehabilitation journey. The addition of five self-contained apartments means transitional pathways will also be available to supplement those who may be ready to live more independently. Integrated with the main building, they will have added reassurance of the residential setting. For those with long-term and continued care needs, transfer opportunities may be available at our other nearby specialist brain injury services.

Situated on a spacious suburban site, Cleadon Court joins new sister services Knot House, in Ellesmere Port, and Linnet Mews in Chesterfield as part of the 2024 development phase. Each offers varied rehabilitation pathways and connect the dots to complete our holistic approach to brain injury rehabilitation.

Engaging partnerships

For Cleadon Court, we’re working closely with partners Jenner Construction to ensure the new site is adapted to meet the wide range of needs of those who have suffered brain injuries. Special features will include a dedicated therapy room, for delivery of a range of therapies tailored to meet the needs of future residents, and a purpose-built training kitchen, offering opportunities to put re-learnt skills into practice!

When asked about the decision behind opening a third site in 2024, Developments Director, Alan Marshall, said:

“Planning started a year ago and came into fruition with the opening of three new sites, each offering additional beds within the Voyage Care brain injury rehabilitation provision. Each new service has been planned to continue the excellent quality care we already deliver and reflects lessons learned from each service opened before that one.”

He added, “Cleadon Court has been developed to meet specific needs and we qualified these adaptations by analysing national statistics, feedback from commissioners and the people we support.”

Our person-centred approach means we’ve engaged the people we support in the property development project process too. Informing the functional and holistic requirements for each new service, our current residents offer unique perspectives on what new services need to effectively support those with brain injuries.

Alan also added:

“We value the opinion of the people we support. They’re the real experts on their brain injuries – they know what they truly need to reach their goals and achieve a good quality of life.” 

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