Former CRI Chapel to provide health and wellbeing support services for local residents

Refurbishments are underway to transform the former Chapel at Cardiff Royal Infirmary (CRI) into a vibrant health and wellbeing facility for the residents in the south and east of Cardiff. The iconic grade II listed building, will become home to health and wellbeing information and advice, a new library, meeting spaces, IT suite and an Aroma Café. Despite the ongoing pandemic, work is progressing at a good pace with the building scheduled to open to the public spring next year.

Staff, patients visiting clinics at CRI, along with families, young people and adults in the community, will benefit from a range of facilities and services including the use of a shared flexible space where they can access support services from partner agencies.

The development will provide a model for future community projects across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, implemented through the Shaping Our Future Wellbeing: In Our Community Infrastructure Programme, aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of our communities.

Funding for the refurbishment and remodelling has been provided by the Welsh Government’s Integrated Care Fund (ICF), Cardiff and Vale UHB and Cardiff Council and is being delivered in partnership between Cardiff and Vale UHB, the Integrated Health and Social Care Partnership, Cardiff Council, and Third Sector Partners.

Geoff Walsh, Director of Capital Estates and Facilities at Cardiff and vale University Health Board commented: “The renovation of the former Chapel at CRI has been particularly complex due to the Grade II listed status of the building.

“However, the final design combines a remodelling of the internal and external space while retaining the important historical features to create a flexible, multi-use facility.
“Once completed the former Chapel will provide a fantastic community resource and social space for staff, patients and visitors to CRI and local residents.

“This is another milestone in the plans to develop CRI as a health and wellbeing centre for the local residents in the South and East of Cardiff”.

Upon completion, the former Chapel at CRI will provide a valuable resource where patients, service users, carers and the local community, can be signposted to relevant and easily accessible information and advice, social, learning and recreational activities.

Cath Doman, Director of Health and Social Care Integration, said: “I am really pleased that the former Chapel at CRI will once again play an important role in bringing together people from all walks of life.

“It will be a great space in the heart of the community where people can get together, have a cup of tea and a chat and find information about the huge range of support available locally.
“There will be all kinds of resources to help people keep well, mentally and physically as well as a place to connect with friends and neighbours.”

“Despite the challenging times we’ve had in Cardiff recently, the Chapel will be ready for the community by next spring and I’d like to thank the teams for their excellent partnership working.

“We can’t wait to open the doors and we think people will like what they see and use it for many years to come.”

Chair of the Regional Partnership Board and Cardiff Council Cabinet Member for Social Care, Health and Wellbeing and Cllr Susan Elsmore, said: “The CRI Chapel project is another excellent example of effective partnership working across organisational boundaries for the benefit of people in Cardiff.

“I’m delighted to see this scheme, which promises to be a fantastic asset for our communities, coming towards fruition.”

Cardiff Council, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, Cllr Lynda Thorne, said: “The refurbishment of the former chapel at the infirmary gives us an exciting opportunity to deliver permanent library services for the communities of Adamsdown and Roath, as well as widening access to other council and partner services by co-locating them in this iconic building.”