JOY Birkenhead, Wirral

Award-winning Wirral charity Open Door, along with partners from the NHS and third sector, have secured nearly £4m in Town Deal funding to transform the Treasury Annexe building in Birkenhead to a new hub that will use art and culture to support people with mental health issues. Architectural Emporium have been working closely with Open Door to produce an evolving vision to secure funding, achieve the necessary approvals and to deliver the scheme. Work on site is imminent.

The proposed uses and layouts have been developed through workshops with the different organisations that will inhabit the building, ensuring the final scheme is welcoming and considers a wide range of needs. A hub space comprising a cafe, meeting spaces, kids area and mini climbing wall will become the reception space for a variety of services and facilities housed beyond. A multi use venue sits alongside the hub and can be used for performances, conferences and cultural events. To the other side a variety of workspaces are provided for co-work, private work, spaces for hire and meeting rooms. These spaces will serve the variety of NHS (My Mind) and charitable mental health organisations (including Open Door) housed under one roof. Further to this, a gallery, volunteer kitchen and garden are provided to offer building users a variety of opportunities and uses. Proposals refurbish the existing 1960s building to make it efficient and sustainable by upgrading the external walls, new roofing, new windows and installation of PVs.

Lee Pennington, founder of Open Door, said “Art and culture can give people a sense of community which can alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation. It gives people the opportunity to talk about their emotions in a way they may not have been able to before and act as the galvaniser of improved self-esteem and wellbeing. Joy will have a positive influence on so many people’s lives.”