Publish date: 1 April 2025
Welcome to the third edition of our bi-monthly updates about The Kingfisher, the new specialist mental health facility for people with learning disabilities and autistic people, being built at Blackberry Hill in Bristol. There are lots of building developments to let you know about this month, and we’ll also start meeting the team who will be staffing the new facility.
The service has been commissioned by Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire ICB (BSW) on behalf of the North of the South West Region and will be operated by Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (AWP). Stay up-to-date here.
Update on building development
With the arrival of Spring also came the arrival of the next stage in the building process, as the frame of the building reaches the second floor. We’ve poured the concrete on the first floor, as well as on the ground floor, and the steel decking for the roof structure has also now been completed. The structural framing system, or SFS, is almost complete and once finished, the next step will be to add the insulation and cladding.
Next month (April), the ‘topping out’ is likely to be held. This is a formal point in the building process when the highest structural feature is fitted. The function of a ‘topping out’ is to bring a building good luck.
The timelapse camera will show further progress over the coming months, as the external build takes shape, and the building is made watertight. You can now follow the progress of the facilities, by logging on to our webcam.
New hoardings around site
Recently, new hoardings were put in place around the building site at Blackberry Hill, setting out the vision for The Kingfisher for visitors to see.
The hoardings showcase the co-production that is involved in the building’s development, as well as highlighting some of the greener elements of the building and the involvement of Hospital Rooms, a national charity who work with the NHS to get art on hospital walls.
There’s also lots of imagery showing off what the finished building should look like, as well as a link to our recruitment website for anyone who wants to be a part of the new service. Next time you're on the Blackberry Hill site, take a look!
Community engagement workshops
Staff from Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust along with social care and community colleagues from across Bath, Swindon and Wiltshire, came together on Thursday 6 March to start the conversation about how we need to work together differently to ensure that people receive the right care in the community; are only admitted into The Kingfisher when their needs cannot be met in the community or by mainstream mental health services; and are discharged in a timely way.
We heard from Kevin Elliott from NHS England about the national context for the specialist mental health inpatient services for people with a learning disability and autistic people whose needs cannot be met by mainstream mental health. Reuben Collings described the new clinical model, and Eithne Hodgson described the work AWP has been doing with people with a lived experience in the design of the new service.
We will be holding more workshops over the coming months and would welcome anyone who would like to be part of this work. If you’d like to get involved, please contact: karen
Meet the team
We’re delighted to welcome Chris Ward as the Matron for The Kingfisher Inpatient and Outreach service. Chris said: “I’ve been a nurse for twenty-six years and have dedicated my career to improving outcomes for people with intellectual disabilities, autistic people, and people with other neurodiverse conditions. I’m thrilled to have been invited to work with AWP in realising this innovative and exciting new service. I’ve been made to feel very welcome by everyone and look forward to working with you all over the coming years. Thank you!”
Find out more about joining The Kingfisher team here.
Who are we looking for to join The Kingfisher team?
Hear from Oriana Morrison-Clarke, Clinical Programme Project Lead, as she shares the qualities we’re seeking in our future team.
