Topping out ceremony held for Seashell’s Ged Mason Building

Students, staff and VIPs gathered at Seashell for a Topping Out Ceremony to celebrate progress on construction of the Stockport charity’s new Ged Mason Building.

The charity educates and cares for young people with the most complex disabilities in the country. The Ged Mason Building is set to open in early 2026 and will become the new home for Seashell’s Royal College Manchester.

The £30 million building has been made possible thanks to generous supporters, including Ged Mason OBE. It will include an accessible climbing wall, sensory rooms, a gym, community cafe and sports hall.

Seashell’s CEO Brandon Leigh said:

“Our students have some of the most complex disabilities in the country and deserve to have the opportunity to learn, develop new skills and reach their full potential in the very best facilities we can offer them. This week’s Topping Out Ceremony marks another step closer to this becoming a reality.”

Royal College Manchester is currently in another building at Seashell in Cheadle Hulme which is no longer fit for purpose. When plans were put in place for the new building, Seashell had the challenging task of raising £10 million to make it a reality. With the support of Ged Mason OBE and other like-minded donors, the team now has just over £2 million left to raise.

Ged Mason OBE, who last year also became the charity’s new President, said:

“My family and I have supported Seashell for close to two decades now, and I cannot think of a more worthy organisation to be involved with.

“It’s a place that you can’t fully appreciate until you see it for yourself. I’d encourage anyone to come and take a tour, meet these inspiring students and see for yourself just how innovative and exciting Seashell really is.”

The Topping Out Ceremony is a tradition in construction circles when a building’s main structural frame is complete and the final piece of the highest point has been installed. A crowd of onlookers watched as a tree was placed on the highest part of the building, as per ancient tradition to bring good luck to the building and its occupants. Ged Mason OBE then unveiled a banner which read “Seashell proudly presents the Ged Mason Building”.

Afterwards invited guests, including Greater Manchester Lord Lieutenant Diane Hawkins, were able to enjoy a student performance from Seashell’s Sing and Sign Choir.

The building work has been carried out by Eric Wright Construction and will see students and staff moving in in early 2026.

Eric Wright Construction’s Director James Eager said:

“It has been great working with Seashell on their new Ged Mason Building. The build is coming along nicely with the sub-structure, structure and façade complete with internal fit and the mechanical, electrical and plumbing services are progressing well.

“We are proud to be delivering a state-of-the-art educational building which will really enhance the lives of the students and staff alike.”

Seashell still has £2.5 million to raise towards the College Appeal: for additional information about how to support the appeal, visit the Seashell website.