Hospice to benefit from major donation following factory closure

A MAJOR donation by the staff at the Goodyear Wolverhampton factory, which will close within weeks, will help to fund a £1m purpose built community co-ordination centre and regeneration of Compton Hospice’s current facilities.
The money has been generated by members of the Unite Union factory branch, through its sick and distress fund which was established in 1985.
Cyril Barrett, chairman of the Unite branch at Goodyear said: “In 1985, the trade union negotiated the establishment of a sick and distress fund, funded solely by shop floor rubber workers. At its height over 3,000 members were beneficiaries of the scheme.”
Following consultation meetings with the members of the scheme, it was decided that all monies in the scheme should go to local registered charities, in the form of projects or equipment.
He added: “The overwhelming view was that we should fund a project at Compton Hospice. We are keen to create a lasting legacy to all members of the scheme whilst also supporting a charity that has served the population of Wolverhampton for many years.”
The Community Co-ordination Centre, estimated to cost in the region of £1m, will see a new building for the co-ordination of referrals to the hospice’s support services including inpatient care, care in the home, day care facilities and emotional, spiritual and social care.
With all service being co-ordinated from one central point the centre will create a single point of access making it easier for patients, families, carers and healthcare professionals.
Claire Marshall, chief executive of Compton Hospice, said: “It has been a long held ambition to co-ordinate our services from a central point to create a more efficient and responsive service for our patients and their families.
“Building a new community co-ordination centre will also allow us to carry out much needed updates and repairs to areas of our Grade II listed buildings that have dilapidated over the years. 
Work is expected to begin on the Compton Community Co-ordination Centre in 2018. 

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