Local college students given sneak peek of brand-new integrated care centre
Students from Wiltshire College and University Centre have been treated to an exclusive first-look at Trowbridge’s brand-new, state-of-the-art integrated care centre.
The students, all of whom are enrolled on courses linked to the construction industry, such as carpentry and plumbing, were invited behind the hoardings of the building site on Hammersmith Fields to see what it’s taking to bring the £16 million development to life.
Kitted out in hard hats, hi-vis jackets and steel-capped boots, groups were shown around the soon-to-be completed health and care facility, and encouraged to ask the on-site workers about their various trades and how to get ahead in the construction industry.
Involving the local community in the development of the Trowbridge Integrated Care Centre, which is due to open in early 2026, has been a priority for the local NHS ever since spades first broke ground in November 2024.
Caroline Holmes, Interim Executive Lead for Community, Planned Care and Cancer, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, said: “After a busy summer of public engagement events, and with even more sessions planned for the autumn and winter, it was really important for us to ensure that the town’s young people had an opportunity to get involved in this exciting project too.
“Integrated care is all about putting more services back into the community, so it is only right to have the community with us at every step of the way, and we were delighted for these students to be among the very first people to see inside the brand-new centre.
“As we move ever closer to the official opening, we hope to provide more chances for the people of Trowbridge to come and visit the site, and to see for themselves what a truly modern, 21st century NHS building looks like.”
The new Trowbridge Integrated Care Centre will replace the town’s existing community hospital, and act as a hub for multiple health and care services, with teams from different organisations working together under one roof to help provide local people with a seamless, more joined-up experience of the NHS.
Paul Gilmore, Deputy Head of Construction, Wiltshire College and University Centre, said: “This was a fantastic opportunity for our students to experience a live construction site, and to see how their skills can fit into a major project like the integrated care centre.
“Visits like this bring classroom learning to life and give students a real sense of the standards, teamwork and professionalism expected in the industry.”
The construction of Trowbridge Integrated Care Centre is being managed by contractor Tilbury Douglas, who is expected to hand over the keys to the building before the end of this year.
Paul Gale, Regional Director – South West, Tilbury Douglas, said: “We’re passionate about encouraging young people into construction at Tilbury Douglas and growing our own talent.
“Opening up our sites for local students to provide a real workplace experience is an effective way for young people to gain insight into how we work, the roles available, and the exciting projects under way in their communities.”
Local people can find out more about the new centre at one of the ICB’s upcoming information sessions.
Representatives will be at the Asda supermarket on Bythesea Road between 11am and 3pm on Friday 24 October, and then at Trowbridge Weavers Market on Saturday 8 November between 10am and 3pm.
Further details can also be found online at www.bsw.icb.nhs.uk/news-and-events/integrated-care-centres/trowbridge-icc.