A NEW health and wellbeing hub in Helston is being celebrated as a major asset for local people and a blueprint for how neighbourhood health can work across Cornwall and the rest of the country.

Cober Valley Health is a modern, purpose-built GP practice created inside a former derelict supermarket that has been transformed into a vibrant, accessible centre for health, wellbeing and community connection.

What had once been a supermarket left empty for seven years is now a thriving hub that brings together primary care, community teams, mental health partners and prevention activities under one roof.

The upper floor houses the GP practice with 19 modern consulting and treatment rooms, supporting both current needs and future population growth, particularly among older people.

Alongside clinical services, several wellbeing rooms host a range of community activities from sessions run by health and wellbeing coaches, including from mental health charity Pentreath, to yoga classes and a community choir.

On the lower floor, the hub includes a climbing and bouldering wall, a music and dance space and a community café, contributing to a wider shift towards prevention, activity and connection.

Accessibility and inclusion were prioritised throughout the design. Specialist input from iSightCornwall, Access Cornwall and the Brandon Trust shaped features such as level access, signage and artwork.

Even the bespoke waiting room seating – created by local firm Kamasow in Coverack Bridges – uses steam bent, locally sourced wood crafted at varying heights to support children, older people and those with reduced mobility.

The project showcases Cornwall’s skills, materials and sustainability ambitions. Wherever possible, materials, design and tradespeople were sourced locally, and the building has achieved a net carbon zero rating.

Sustainable features include ground source heat pumps, thermal insulation and solar energy. The project has been part funded through Cornwall Council's Good Growth Programme and Town Centre Revitalisation Fund.

Dr Jim Tait, GP partner and lead GP for the building project at Cober Valley Health said: “This transformation has created something truly special for Helston. Turning a derelict supermarket into a modern, welcoming health and wellbeing hub has breathed new life into the town.

“Our 19 consulting and treatment rooms mean we can support a growing and ageing population, and our wellbeing spaces give people more opportunities to stay active, connect and improve their health.

“We have worked closely with local tradespeople, inclusivity experts and community partners to shape a space that is accessible, sustainable and rooted in the needs of local people. Being located in the centre of Helston also means we’re easy to reach, supporting both patients and the wider town centre.”

Juliet Ferris, place director for West Cornwall Integrated Care Area said: “This hub is a brilliant example of what neighbourhood health looks like in practice. It puts people at the heart of care and brings together GP services, community teams, prevention and wellbeing in one place.

“What the team here have achieved – transforming an abandoned supermarket into a centre that will support health and connection for years to come – is outstanding. It is a model we can learn from across Cornwall and beyond.”

David Turnbull, director of South Kerrier Alliance CIC said: “Our vision was to take a building that had become a symbol of decline and turn it into something that brings lasting benefit to the people of Helston. This project is a true community asset – a place where healthcare and everyday life are woven together, offering long-term benefits for health, prevention and wellbeing.

“We have showcased local strengths in every sense: from design and structure to materials, craftsmanship and sustainability. Achieving a net carbon zero rating and working almost entirely with Cornish trades and suppliers demonstrates what is possible when a community comes together with a shared purpose. This building will serve Helston for generations.”