To create a new Children’s Centre by completely re-designing and refurbishing the disused and redundant Olga Adult Centre. This new Children's Centre will provide a modern building and learning environment with the seamless delivery of integrated services and information for local families with children from birth to five years old.

Under the government Sure Start programme, the London Borough of Tower Hamlets targeted the provision the following services at the new Olga Children’s Centre:

• Early education and childcare
• Family Support
• Child and family health care services
• Support for employment, training or volunteering

Redevelop the disused and redundant building into a lively and vibrant children’s centre.

S&D's design and delivery services transformed a disused and redundant building into a lively and vibrant children’s centre that now boasts a large crèche, kitchen and laundry facilities, WC facilities for children, adults and wheelchair personnel, a treatment room, a large and fully secure outdoor soft play area, a large training room and fully equipped reception office for children’s centre staff.

The Olga Children's Centre was fully operational in 2009 and is providing a full range of Sure Start Programme services to local families, ranging from speech and language development for children, baby massage and yoga classes, "climb, run and have fun" programmes in both the large crèche and outside soft play area, as well as health care and educational psychology services delivered in the large treatment and training rooms.

S&D has transformed the disused Olga Adult Centre in a vibrant, lively and fully utilised Children’s Centre that is now meeting the needs of families with children whilst celebrating diversity and the difference within the local community.

"I was really impressed by the layout, design and finish of the construction work and I think when filled with children it will be a real asset to the school [Olga Primary School] and the community."

Isobel Cattermole | Service Head Resources
Children’s Services Directorate | London Borough of Tower Hamlets