Step Exhibitions
Capital, Estates and Facilities (CEF) Team – Greater Manchester Mental Health
Nominee Information
The GMMH Capital, Estates and Facilities (CEF) team successfully delivered the Central Park project in Manchester. This new facility offers 60,000 square feet of space dedicated to mental health services, featuring agile open-plan offices, private rooms, conference facilities, and a new outpatient community clinic. Over 12 different services are co-located at Central Park, enhancing utilisation and collaborative working.
For GMMH, this facility addresses several property risks by accommodating services previously housed in outdated premises. The consolidation and multi-occupancy approach allowed GMMH to close and dispose of five existing buildings, reducing the estate’s footprint and running costs. The modern, fit-for-purpose facilities provide a safe environment for service users, staff, and visitors, with ample parking and good public transport links. The interior design and product selection were the result of extensive engagement and consultation with GMMH users, architects, and suppliers, creating a therapeutic and relaxing environment that considers all needs, genders, and ages.
By housing multiple services and teams, including the Community Mental Health Team, Home-Based Treatment Team, Early Intervention, Talking Therapies, and Psychology, under one roof, service users receive more coordinated care. This reduces the need for appointments at different locations, saving time and reducing stress.
The project delivery was a positive experience, bringing together various facets of estates and facilities and numerous stakeholders from mental health services. The collaboration and ethos of working together were challenging at times but ultimately rewarding for all involved. Lasting relationships were formed, and the profile of Estates and Facilities improved significantly because of this project.
The CEF team led the entire delivery and implementation of Central Park, including:
* Premises searches and feasibility, with the property first identified through a Right-Move search, followed by lease negotiation and legal transaction completed by the end of March 2024.
* Conversion of 8000ft into a community clinic with 27 delivery rooms and support accommodation
* Agile office space for 300 people with offices and meeting rooms.
* Café and social space for collaborative working and relaxation
* Leading the design, procurement, and delivery of the building works.
* Running the Project Delivery, Mobilization, Space Planning, and Innovation Groups.
* Organising and facilitating stakeholder events, site visits, meetings, and open days.
* Set up of new soft and hard FM services
* Involving service users, such as in the Multi-Faith Room equipment.
* Commissioning the new building and decommissioning the closed buildings, including the transfer of all equipment.
* Establishing the Catering facility
* Leading on the improvement of staff welfare facilities
* New Electric vehicle chargers, cycle storage and showers
The Property team negotiated a bespoke commercial arrangement, with the majority of the £3.5m investment provided by the landlord, resulting in GMMH expending only £900k of internal capital to deliver the project. Additionally, the team negotiated the donation of over £260k worth of furniture from the existing tenant.
As of February 2025, Central Park has delivered all project KPIs and still has future expansion space for new or expanding services. By Summer 2025, this vacant space will be occupied, resulting in further cost savings.
