Home / News / Pave Aways dives in for charity’s pool project

Pave Aways dives in for charity’s pool project

Seriously ill children will once again be able to enjoy the therapeutic properties of aquatic therapy, thanks to the completion of a huge project to refurbish the hydro pool at Hope House Children’s Hospice.

We recently completed the much-needed update of the charity’s pool, which is used by children with life-threatening conditions who visit the hospice near Oswestry for respite care.

The pool had been out of use since March 2020 as part of measures to prevent cross-infection. It urgently needed updating and plant machinery was starting to fail, leaving the children without their aquatic therapy. But the refurbished pool and new specialist masks mean that children will once again be able to safely enjoy aquatic therapy.

The overall project included a total refurbishment of the pool and changing areas, the installation of new plant equipment to run the pool and new hoists and sensory audio-visual equipment.

We carried out the main refurbishment work as a not-for-profit contract as part of our community benefits programme.

Managing director Steven Owen said: “Hope House does phenomenal work supporting children and their families, so it was a privilege to be able to design and deliver the refurbishment of this important facility for the hospice.

“We’re passionate about giving something back to the communities in Shropshire and Wales where we work and our team really enjoyed transforming the hydro pool, particularly our architect and design manager Keeley Fox, who masterminded the drawings and work onsite. We hope the children have great fun using it.”

Hope House physiotherapist Esme Turner said the current refurbishment would ensure the children could soon return to enjoying the benefits of their pool experience.

“We offer many therapies for the children, but aquatic therapy, which makes use of the natural buoyancy, heat and resistance of the water is often the highlight of the hospice stay,” explained Esme.

“Seeing a child who is usually uncomfortable in their wheelchair due to muscle spasms, smile and look relaxed in the water is so inspiring. You can really see the difference that is being made to their wellbeing and comfort.”

The hospice received donations from 19 trusts and organisations, including the Mark Masons, to fund the project.

Quantity surveyor Victoria Ward, architect and design manager Keeley Fox, Hope House Chief Executive Andy Goldsmith and Commercial Director Victoria Lawson by the new pool at Hope House
Up