Rivacre Wellbeing Project supports residents to thrive
Published 21 April 2026
Making Space is proud to celebrate the success of the Rivacre Wellbeing Project, delivered thanks to £2,120 of funding from the Riverside Community Fund. This support has enabled us to enhance the wellbeing of people living at Rivacre House in Ellesmere Port through a range of meaningful activities and environmental improvements.
Located in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, Rivacre House is a 12-person residential service supporting adults with mental health conditions, autism, and learning disabilities. The team provides person-centred care, working closely with individuals to help them build on their strengths and achieve their personal goals.
Funding from Riverside’s Community Fund, part of the social housing provider Riverside, enabled Making Space to deliver a 12-month wellbeing project at Rivacre. This support helped introduce new wellbeing opportunities and enhance the environment, creating more spaces and activities for residents to relax, connect, and stay active.
Residents benefited from a range of new activities and improvements designed to support both physical and emotional wellbeing, including:
- Monthly fitness sessions delivered by G Fitness, the UK’s leading provider of exercise classes for people in care, older adults, and people with disabilities, tailored to individual needs
- Fortnightly relaxation and meditation sessions
- A newly developed quiet room for mindfulness and reflection
- Enhancements to the garden, with new plants and comfortable outdoor furniture
Together, these additions have created a more welcoming and therapeutic environment, giving residents greater opportunities to relax, connect, and enjoy meaningful activities.
The sessions were met with real enthusiasm, with all 12 residents taking part and many looking forward to each one. Residents shared:
“I really enjoyed the class, it went so quickly! I would love to do it more often or for longer.”
“It was an interesting event with many things to use, and it was great exercise. I felt much better after it.”
The project has also empowered residents to take on new roles, with one individual now supporting others by demonstrating meditation techniques and working towards becoming a wellbeing “champion” within the service.
The improvements have created a lasting legacy at Rivacre, particularly through the transformation of the quiet lounge into a calming, welcoming space with soft furnishings, lighting, positive quotes, and artwork created by residents.
Looking ahead, the team plans to further develop the relaxation and meditation programme, introducing sessions tailored to specific needs such as anxiety management, sleep support, and deep relaxation.
Mark McKean, Strategy and Change Manager at Riverside, said:
We are delighted to see the impact this project has had on the residents at Rivacre House. It has not only provided them with the opportunity to take part in various social activities, which have received very positive engagement, but has also improved both indoor and outdoor spaces, with input from the residents themselves, ensuring a long-lasting impact on the service.
Talking of the funding, Bob Towers, Fundraising Manager at Making Space, added:
We were delighted to receive funding to deliver this impactful project at Rivacre, helping us to provide opportunities that go beyond core care provision. Funding like this plays a vital role in enhancing the support we offer, enabling people to live their lives in the best possible way and reach their full potential. With the support of partners like Riverside, we can continue to deliver life-changing projects that empower individuals, improve wellbeing, and strengthen communities.
Additional funding like this ensures that Making Space can continue to deliver innovative and meaningful projects for the people we support. To find out more about how you can support Making Space, please contact [email protected] or visit makingspace.co.uk/get-involved/fundraising.
Together, Making Space and its partners can build a brighter future for those who rely on vital social care services.