The Client
Saint Monica Trust is a renowned charity providing accommodation, care, and support to over 1,100 residents and many more in the Bristol community. Known for its dedicated care and support for older adults, Saint Monica Trust has earned national and international recognition since the 1920s for its expertise in creating compassionate, supportive environments.
Project Overview
Saint Monica Trust approached Impact IT to design, build, and implement a state-of-the-art WiFi network to support VoIP telephony, nurse call systems, mobile communications, and complete internet access at Sandford Station, one of their purpose-built care homes. The 2010-established retreat posed unique challenges due to its expansive and complex layout, demanding a solution that could deliver seamless WiFi connectivity across buildings and grounds.
Wifi and VoIP Network Requirements
Home to 104 residents and a dedicated staff team, Sandford Station includes numerous facilities like a day care centre, restaurants, beauty salons, and support offices. The robust Wi-Fi network was essential for supporting the care home’s critical communication systems, including VoIP telephony, Nursecall systems, and mobile devices, alongside providing reliable internet access for residents and their guests.
Implementation and Technical Execution
Our team conducted thorough site visits and collaborated closely with Saint Monica Trust to strategically plan the network. Key elements included:
• Installation of over 160 WiFi access points to ensure optimal coverage
• Deployment of 3km of Excel data cabling across multiple areas
• Careful planning for cable routing, safety, and aesthetics
• Extensive heat mapping to confirm maximum connectivity and signal strength
Despite the fully operational nature of the site, our team managed to complete the installation with minimal disruption. The high-quality installation featured full labelling and detailed plans for Saint Monica’s IT team, facilitating easy management and maintenance.
Our careful planning and execution resulted in a highly reliable WiFi and VoIP network, significantly enhancing connectivity for residents, staff, and essential systems across Sandford Station. Following this success, Saint Monica Trust awarded Impact IT additional contracts to replicate these network solutions across other estate locations.
Key Contributions to Success
• Comprehensive planning and scoping
• Effective communication and coordination with stakeholders
• Flexibility in adapting to the site’s unique needs
• Expert technical execution
• Resourceful and solution-oriented approach
Summary
Impact IT successfully delivered a high-performance WiFi and VoIP network for Saint Monica Trust’s Sandford Station care home, enhancing connectivity for residents, staff, and critical systems. This project, which included the installation of over 160 access points and 3km of data cabling, has laid the foundation for expanded collaborations across other Saint Monica Trust sites.
