A new Doncaster city centre to help young people with their mental health is to open.

Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust, who provide community and mental health services for everyone in Doncaster have confirmed that they have signed a lease to develop and occupy the Waterdale building near to the Civic Centre, ending almost eighteen months of uncertainty.

The lease will allow the Trust to work with health partners to create the city’s first neighbourhood centre, under the Government’s Ten-Year Plan for health, published in 2025. The intention is for services to be open during 2027, after redevelopment of the building during 2026.

Anthony Fitzgerald, South Yorkshire ICB Place Director for Doncaster, welcomed the news, saying: “This is an exciting first step in beginning to move care closer to our communities.

Pictured left to right from RDaSH: Simon Shepherd, Executive Director of Finance and Estates; Toby Lewis, Chief Executive; and Chrisina Harrison, Children’s Care Group Director.

placeholder image — Pictured left to right from RDaSH: Simon Shepherd, Executive Director of Finance and Estates; Toby Lewis, Chief Executive; and Chrisina Harrison, Children’s Care Group Director.

"I congratulate RDaSH on their work to make this a reality, supporting the City Council with their ambition to bring regeneration to the centre of Doncaster.”

The chair of RDaSH Board of Directors, Kathryn Lavery, explained: “The Waterdale development is a big investment for us, not just of money or time, but in commitment to redesigning services to fit the growing needs of those we serve.

"We have the shortest wait times now in the NHS in England 2, but we want to make sure everyone who needs support has access to it through the local voluntary sector, our services, or partners in primary care.”

Champion Solesi, the chair of the RDaSH Youth Advisory Forum, and a member of the Council of Governors, said: “I know the Trust is honest and open about the work they still need to do to listen and act on the voices of children and young people locally.

"This Waterdale project is a chance to make that a reality, working with us to shape services and design a space we value and can use. It is an exciting step forward for my city.”