The next phase of works is the creation of the new puppy/community training arena, alongside a wide range of improvements. Including the removal and relaying of flooring; fire alarm installation; and construction of a new wall; new storage provision; and floor, wall and ceiling finishes.

 New windows to the first floor offices are also planned, subject to approval, along with the removal of high-level metalwork. Please be aware that the first floor ventilation works may run slightly beyond the main programme depending on the final solution and window lead times.

We are now delighted to share with you the much-awaited news that we expect the charity will be able to finally move out of Jessops Riverside, our home for over 21 years, by the end of July. Whilst there is still a chance that this may change (due to unforeseen building delays) we are now working towards this as a likely timescale.

This means the training department fully moving to Elsworth house and so we will, for the first time in 9 years, be all together in the same building.  We appreciate this move may raise some questions for some of our volunteers and if you have any concerns about the move please let the volunteering team aware. 

We are also organising a special “Goodbye to Jessops Riverside” event to take place on the evening of Thursday 9^th July that we would love you to join us to say goodbye to our home for the past 21 years. We will be in touch with more details about this shortly

Your ideas for Support Dogs’ new centre

Thank you to everyone who has shared their ideas and thoughts on what you’d like to see at the new centre. Here are our responses to some of them - please keep them coming! Email [email protected]

1. You want the centre to save money so we can support more clients, cost efficiency measures at the new centre will include: 
   1. Modern roof with extra insulation and 50% more natural light panels
   2. Larger storerooms means saving by bulk buying and less frequent deliveries
   3. Equipping the building for evening and weekend hire
   4. Continual work with corporate supporters for in-kind donations
   5. Reduction in car journeys through having parks and retail facilities within a short walking distance
   6. Full ownership of the building, so we will no longer have significant costs for rent or mortgage, as on our two previous buildings   
2. You want the centre to be more user-friendly for all volunteer roles
   1. The new centre is well on its way to having good private parking, safe outside lighting, a fully accessible building, comfortable reception area showcasing our work to visitors, spacious storage areas, easy goods-out/goods-in logistics and donation sorting areas and safe dog drop off/pick up area.
   2. It will include our first-ever dedicated training arena enabling us to run individual and group sessions and our first-ever dedicated education spaces where we can run information and classes to different sized groups.
   3. It’s closer to residential areas and on a well-used main road, with good public transport links, meaning a wider number of people we see and easier access.
3. You want the centre to have spaces for puppy socialisers/fosterers to practice with their dog and have help at hand if they need it
   1. We’ll have spaces for volunteers to practise dog skills as a step-on from your own homes but without the hazards and visibility of being in public. Volunteers will be able to practise and ask for help while training dogs, as we create flexible training spaces to meet a range of needs.