Get Busy Living Centre, The Matt Hampson Foundation

Since his accident in 2005 during an England Under 21 rugby training session, Matt has battled hard to live as normal a life as possible. Paralysed from the neck down and breathing via the aid of a ventilator, it is testament to him that he decided to set up the Foundation so that others who have suffered similar catastrophic injuries through sport can receive support and assistance.

Matt’s dream of developing a rehabilitation centre addressing this need is now a reality.

The project was delivered by a number of local partners, many of which offered their time, services, materials and expertise for free. CPMG were proud to provide interior design services to the project on a pro-bono basis.

Services

GBL-Get-Busy-Living-Centre-CPMG-Interior

The main brief was to create somewhere comfortable, relaxing and homely. The Centre is used not only by people who’ve had catastrophic injuries but also by their families and supporters. Many have spent months and even years in and out of hospital and this place is an antidote to that. The ground floor needed to be open plan but zoned so that it didn’t feel too institutional. It also needed to be useable for fundraising events.

There’s a large teaching kitchen suitable for people in wheelchairs to learn to cook for themselves, a cafe type space and a lounge with big comfy sofas. Other accommodation includes a board room for business meetings and a manager’s office.

Upstairs is more about rehabilitation, with a large gym, therapy room (both with hoist access), an additional office, locker room and accessible showers.

The finishes are all high quality, suitable for use with various types of wheelchair and circulation spaces are generous and doors are wide.