An application for an NHS capital grant of £925,000 has been successful to enhance facilities at Fearon Hall Community Centre in Loughborough. The funding will include significant building improvements, enabling the centre to expand its community programming, increase access to mental health and wellbeing services and create new opportunities for local engagement. Details of how the local community can get involved and have their say in shaping the wellbeing support that will be available will be announced in the new year.
The transformation forms part of the NHS Long Term Plan, which aims to move away from traditional models of care towards integrated, locally delivered services that meet people’s needs earlier and closer to home. This approach is designed to provide better access to support and improve outcomes for individuals within their communities.
Fearon Hall has long served as a safe, inclusive space for residents of Loughborough, offering opportunities for learning, social connection, and wellbeing. This partnership represents a major milestone in the NHS’ and Fearon Community Association’s commitment to building resilient, healthy neighbourhoods.
Darryl Gough, Chair of Trustees at Fearon Community Association, the organisation that runs the community centre, said: “We are delighted to have been selected for such an important project. It reflects the very hard work put in by the team at Fearon Hall to make the centre the vibrant community hub that it is today. We now want local people to get involved to have their say in how they want the new services to run, and we will be starting this in early 2026.”
Tanya Hibbert, Executive Director for Mental Health, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, said: “The new model will radically change how people experiencing mental health challenges can access more help in their own neighbourhoods. This pioneering type of development is outlined in the new NHS Long-Term Plan; therefore we were thrilled to be included in this pilot stage and are proud to be only one of nine areas selected across the country. My team will be working closely with Fearon Community Association and our partners in the local authorities, wider NHS and voluntary sector to bring a truly collaborative approach to this exciting project.”
Councillor Jewel Miah, Leader of Charnwood Borough Council and ward member for Loughborough East added: “I am excited to see this investment into one the Council’s strategic partners. Fearon Hall is a safe space for many residents across Loughborough, and this NHS funding will help expand its offering and community programme to the local community including access to mental health and wellbeing services.”
The money has been awarded to Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland’s Integrated Care Board (ICB) under NHS England’s Mental Health Capital Programme and will be utilised by Fearon Community Association working in a consortium with Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust and other local stakeholders, including an already well-established Charnwood Health and Wellbeing Partnership. The consortium will be announcing more details and progress on the plans in early 2026.