The Ridge Hill Centre was officially opened by local MP and government minister, Ian Pearson, on 18th October 2006. The 3000sqm development, the first building procured under the new Dudley L.I.F.T. agreement, will replace the existing Primary Care services for people with learning disabilities in the South Dudley area, bringing together both day and in-patient facilities on the same site.

The two-storey Day Centre provides ‘Therapy and Enabling’ services for people living in the community. As well as general consulting/therapy rooms, specialist facilities include 'Activities of Daily Living' (ADL) teaching spaces, Sensory and Hydrotherapy suites, with staff offices provided on the floor above. Alongside the Day Centre, a single storey in-patient facility houses accommodation for up to 10 clients with learning disabilities and super-imposed mental health problems/complex needs, providing acute treatment and rehabilitation, as well as respite care. The orientation of the buildings were carefully planned within the tight site to preserve the privacy and dignity of the clients, with landscaping and sensory garden areas to help screen the inpatient units from overlooking. Another key feature of the development were full height corridors with clerestorey glazing, allowing natural daylight to penetrate into the building.

Bournville Architects were part of the Infracare team of consultants which successfully bid for the L.I.F.T. Contract, with the Ridge Hill Centre forming one of the 3 showcase 'sample schemes'. Following formation of the new L.I.F.T. Company, the project was constructed under a Design & Build contract, with Bournville Architects being novated from the Client to the Contractor. Throught out the process, Bournville Architects worked closely with the end users and PCT advisers to design a facility that catered for the complex needs of the client base, ensuring the safety & security of both staff and patients in a non-institutional, therapeutic environment.