Renovations put accessibility “at the heart” of a much-loved Southampton charity home

Major refurbishment works have begun at a Southampton cardiac charity’s biggest asset, Rotary Heartbeat House, to create more accessible accommodation and communal space for families of cardiac patients.

Rotary Heartbeat House is the home-from-home facility funded by cardiac charity Heartbeat located just three minutes from the University Hospital Southampton, providing vital accommodation for a small one off payment to cardiac patients and their families.

Renovations officially got underway on 10 August, marking the beginning of an ambitious transformation of the more than 30-year-old property that will put accessibility and inclusivity “at the heart” of the plans.

A major part of the project will be the construction of a new single-storey rear extension replacing two deteriorating and thermally inefficient conservatories, as well as an underused staircase serving the annex.

The new space will create a dedicated, comfortable area for remote working, alongside a flexible communal hub which can be used for coffee mornings, fundraising events and other community gatherings.

The additional accommodation will help Heartbeat meet the need for more inclusive facilities for guests with different mobility requirements, ensuring more families can benefit from the support offered by the charity.

A new external terrace will also give residents the opportunity to enjoy fresh air and spend time outdoors, while new steps and a ramp will provide an accessible route to the lower garden.

Mark Ind, CEO of Heartbeat, said: “It is incredible to see this much-needed refurbishment finally get underway. Heartbeat House exists to support families during an extremely difficult time, and we want to make sure it is not only accessible to as many families as possible, but also a warm, comfortable and welcoming place to stay.

Tina Richardson, Head of Operations at Heartbeat added: “This transformation will make a huge difference to the families who rely on Rotary Heartbeat House, from providing more accessible bedrooms and facilities through to creating better communal spaces where people can work, relax, meet others and spend time together.

“A huge thank you goes to all of our incredible fundraisers and supporters across the local area, as well as every company involved in bringing this project to life. We simply couldn't do this without their support.”

The project is being managed by Chilworth Construction Management, with Ray Jillings and Chris Moss from the company supporting the delivery of the transformation.

Chris Moss (Operations Director) from Chilworth CM, said: “From a construction and project management perspective, there is a lot to consider when refurbishing an existing building of this age, particularly while making sure the finished space is accessible, safe, energy efficient and fit for the future. We are really pleased to see work now underway and look forward to watching the transformation take shape over the coming months.”

Ray Jillings (Commercial Manager) from Chilworth Construction Management, said: “Rotary Heartbeat House is a really important facility for families who are going through an incredibly difficult time, so it has been fantastic to be involved in a project that will make such a meaningful difference.

A team of specialist organisations is also working alongside Heartbeat to bring the plans to life.

Appledown Projects is acting as main contractor, with Boyles and Summers Ltd as architect and principal designer, Cowan Consultancy Ltd as structural engineer and TNG Consulting Engineers as MEP designers.

Southampton City Council is providing building control services, while 10Ability Limited is supporting the project as fire engineer, PTS Compliance is providing fire safety support and Align IT is the project's IT provider.

The refurbishment represents a significant investment in the future of Rotary Heartbeat House and will help ensure the property can continue to provide a safe, comfortable and inclusive home-from-home for families while their loved ones receive specialist cardiac treatment in Southampton.

With work now underway, the charity hopes the transformation will create a space that not only meets the changing needs of families, but continues Rotary Heartbeat House's role as a welcoming place where people can find comfort, support and a sense of community during some of the most challenging periods of their lives.