Champness Hall to be redeveloped

Champness Hall

Champness Hall is to be redeveloped as part of a new scheme to rehabilitate, educate and train adults who have been affected by drug and alcohol misuse, which has just been launched in the borough.

The building is already used by community organisations and it will now also provide a home for the council’s new recovery and reintegration service, which is being delivered by High Level.

The service successfully bid for money from Public Health England, which will fund the construction of a café and play area in the hall, which will open on 18 July with a launch event at 12.30pm.

The café will contain an IT suite, where visitors and service users can look for work and improve their job-seeking skills. NVQ training will also be provided in areas such as plumbing, general maintenance, catering and childcare.

Councillor Daalat Ali, Cabinet Member for Communities at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “The renovation of Champness Hall to help local people recover from drugs and alcohol-related issues and be re-integrate as positive members of society is an extremely welcome development. It will enable us to help some of the borough’s most vulnerable residents.”

Member of the Veterans in the Community group have been dismantling heavy duty play equipment to make way for the new play area and a new reception office has been constructed at the front entrance.

Future developments include a lift at the back of the building suitable for people with disabilities, a new heating system and also a refurbishment of the theatre to include new changing rooms and a sound system.

A ‘Rock the Mic’ talent show to celebrate the project will be held in the hall on 26 July.