FROM among the wood, concrete and breeze blocks, in a Newport suburb Wales' first independent hospice project of the 21st Century is becoming a reality.

Almost nine months into the building of the new inpatient unit at the St David's Hospice Care headquarters on Blackett Avenue, Malpas, the scale and scope of the scheme is becoming apparent.

It is ambitious, it will be eye-catching, and as well as transforming the landscape on which it is built, it will also transform and expand the hospice's inpatient palliative care service for patients with life threatening or terminal illnesses.

Progress since the then health minister Mark Drakeford cut the first sod last January has been speedy.

The difficult, sloping site however, is being altered to accommodate a 15-bed unit that will replace the existing unit on the St Ann’s Hospice site.

“This is a major project and it will be physically linked to our headquarters building,” said St David’s Hospice Care chief executive Emma Saysell.

“It is great working with our main construction partner Andrew Scott, who are doing a great job. We’re looking forward to opening next summer.”

The £5 million project has received funding from a range of sources, not least the Welsh Government, which has put up £3m.

It has also attracted a £500,000 Big Lottery grant, and backing from grant-making bodies including the Garfield Weston Foundation (£200,000), the Will Charitable Trust (£150,000), the Moondance Foundation (£50,000), and the Albert Hunt Trust (£10,000).

St David’s Hospice Care also works closely with Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and Newport council, the latter having gifted a parcel of land behind the charity's headquarters to enable the project to proceed.

“We’ve had fantastic support for an ambitious project. Lots of organisations have bought into this, because they can see what we are trying to achieve for the patients and families we care for,” said Mrs Saysell.

“It’s hard to believe how quickly the building is going up, given the topography of the site. The weather has been kind to us, the roof is nearly complete, and then we will be able to move onto the next phase.

St David’s Hospice Care will next year be looking for volunteers to help with aspects of the running of the new unit.

It is also seeking room ‘sponsors’ whose contributions will help with equipment such as specialist beds and reclining chairs. Any organisation or individual interested in getting involved may contact Mrs Saysell on 01633 851051.