We First met Emma Jensen of Freshfield Animal Rescue at a Women in Business event where she explained the desperate plight of the rescue centre, in particular the dilapidated condition of some of the buildings.  They desperately required a new Adoption Hub to provide space in which potential adopters can meet their new pets in a calm and welcoming environment and support the animals with behavioural issues and other factors which have in the past proven a barrier to finding a forever home.   They were in a predicament – they could not apply for funding until they had designs for the building, but they could not pay for designs without the funding. It was clear on our initial visit that the situation was dire, with staff working from cold run down prefab units which were also uninviting to visitors looking to adopt.   

We worked closely with staff and other consultants to develop a design that provided the required space, fit the budget and helped with the logistics of operating the centre.   It took almost 3 years from our initial meeting until the building was complete and opened by the Mayor of Sefton in April 22.  Budget constraints, securing a builder, planning in greenbelt, Covid, and logistics to keep the centre running throughout the construction process where just some of the challenges we faced.  The hard work and continuous team effort throughout the entire process ensured project success!  

The open day was a huge success for Freshfields and everybody involved with getting it over the line.  The finished building has made an immense difference to the rescue centre.  Gone are the dilapidated prefab units and in their place, a modern, fit for purpose facility to welcome new adopters and visitors.