Construction on a  dedicated facility for young people with long-term health needs got underway this week.

Local charity Bridge the Gap is creating a BtG Pod at Noble’s Hospital.

It will be a VIP retreat for young patients aged between 16 and 24 who have complex, chronic and life-threatening medical conditions.

BtG will gift the facility to Noble’s and will fund a Youth Service project within the hospital with youth support workers using it as their base.

Presentations will be given to nursing staff who will help the young patients make the most of the pod.

Val Lloyd who works with the charity says: “It was a real honour to be asked to help with this project where the whole ethos is to work together to help young adults at such difficult times.

“Whilst it is a relatively small project it’s one of the most rewarding in terms of creating an amazing age appropriate, chill out space for these young patients.”

BtG Trustee Ken Callister says: “We are delighted that the Manx community is supporting BtG and that our vision is becoming a reality.

“Young people with long term medical conditions often face repeated or extended inpatient stays and ‘The Pod’ is to be the first age appropriate chill out space for these young people, an environment far removed from that of a clinical ward.”