Latest news with #respite
BBC News
30-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Emily Place, Woking's new respite centre, opens for family breaks
A £5.7m centre to offer respite for families caring for adults with additional needs has been opened in Woking, Place features a sensory room, lounge and eight en suite bedrooms at the property in Goldsworth building was officially opened by Surrey County Council leader Tim Oliver, a year after construction mother whose daughter has made a five-night stay already, described it as "absolutely amazing". Mr Oliver said: "My wife and I know from personal experience how challenging it can be when a loved one has disabilities and additional needs, and the level of commitment that takes from parents and carers."It's about the right support, in the right place, at the right time – that's absolutely what we're trying to achieve."Sinead Mooney, cabinet member for adult social care, said: "I can see how people coming to use the facility will be very settled and very happy here, and the location is great – you've got facilities right on the doorstep that people can use and access."It's fantastic to see this place up and running." Jean, whose daughter has used the centre, said she had been able to drop her at Emily Lodge and "not panic"."The life of having a young adult with disabilities – or abilities, whichever way you want to go – is absolutely exhausting, so to have a few hours, a few days, a few nights, is irreplaceable" she in the centre will be allocated by the authority.
News.com.au
26-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Buyer plans to reboot abandoned Salvos crisis accommodation hub in Belmont
An abandoned former Salvation Army crisis accommodation hub will soon be helping Geelong's most vulnerable again after selling to a mental health service provider. The unnamed organisation has secured the 3810sq m site at 2A Settlement Rd, Belmont, from the State Government in a $2.08m deal. Whitford Troost, Newtown listing agent Frank Troost said the buyer was keen to start renovating existing buildings with a view to offering respite and other services. The Salvos previously offered emergency housing in 14 units at the property, which was once the Barwon Valley Manor Motel and Function Centre. But the units and a substantial two-storey office building have sat vacant since the height of the Covid pandemic in 2020 when the doors were closed due to concerns about occupants sharing communal kitchen facilities. Mr Troost said the existing infrastructure, though vandalised, appealed to a range of community and church groups, with seven parties submitting 11 different expressions of interest. 'We got a lot of inquiry as you would imagine and it was across a broad spectrum of community groups, charitable organisations, religious and even accommodation places to escape,' he said. 'Of course the challenge was what the cost of the renovation was going to be. 'We thought we would probably lean towards more a redevelopment site but part of site is subject to flooding and that seems to turn away developers so it came from these real community groups. 'The eventual purchaser was someone who provides mental health services through the NDIS so they will do essentially what was done previously. They'll do respite accommodation there and they will also run several other services from that space once they renovate.' He said the bones of the building were good, despite vandalism such as holes kicked in internal walls and wiring ripped out. He estimated it would take a good 12 months to get the facilities back up to scratch. The former function centre turned administration building is currently configured as 12 offices, both communal and commercial kitchens, two reception areas and a large reception hall/function area. There's also a double garage and double carport on the site, which is zone neighbourhood residential.
ABC News
14-05-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Canberra's Burrangiri Aged Care Respite Centre will stay open for two more years
Centenarian Joan Plunkett had a strong reaction when she heard Burrangiri Aged Care Respite Centre would close. Now, the Canberran is relieved the ACT government will abandon that plan, instead keeping the 15-bed centre in Canberra's south open for another two years. "It's good news but it's only half news because two years is nothing … So, they need to get busy and start on a decent-sized replacement," Mrs Plunkett said. She stayed at the respite centre for several weeks while her carer and daughter had a break. "I don't hold my breath waiting to get there again, but it was very pleasant, and the girls are all lovely. All the carers are delightful. Nothing's a trouble," Mrs Plunkett recalled. Ruth Carter, one of Mrs Plunkett's daughters, agreed. "Mum's residing here with my sister and her husband, so obviously it's crucial [they] have ongoing respite. Mum needs to go somewhere," she said. "The centre's been open for 35 years and what you have is continuity of care." Ms Carter said closing Burrangiri would have been "hugely catastrophic for Canberra". In announcing its pivot, the government stressed the building the service is housed in still needs major works. "The health directorate's advice remains that the facility would require a significant scope of work to be fit for purpose," Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said. The building has just two bathrooms and electrical and safety issues. Ms Stephen-Smith said today's reversal sensibly weighed those issues against the strong community demand for Burrangiri's services, offering an apology for the uncertainty. The Salvation Army will continue to operate the respite facility, with independent MLA Fiona Carrick saying the two-year extension gave workers "certainty" and "anything shorter, people start leaving". Ms Carrick said she had heard from concerned Canberrans who relied on Burrangiri and that those "carers will be very happy". "It's not the end of Burrangiri. We don't know how the options will play out. Potentially, Burrangiri could still be on the table [after the two-year extension]," she said. As part of its re-election pitch, federal Labor had promised $10 million for respite aged care beds in the ACT. Ms Stephen-Smith said she had written to Health Minister Mark Butler asking for federal support to fund the extension of Burrangiri, as well as "expediting their $10-million commitment". She said Burrangiri's two-year extensions buys the federal government time to deliver on its commitment to fund the ACT's respite beds going forward. ACT Senator Katy Gallagher said Burrangiri's lifeline was a "great outcome for the Save Burrangiri Group and broader ACT community." She said the public had "argued strongly to keep this important service open for families that rely on the care and respite it provides." Canberra Liberals leader Leanne Castley said Burrangiri's reprieve came after the opposition's pressure on Ms Stephen-Smith "forced her hand". "It's absolutely fabulous, of course, but I think the question is: 'Why all of a sudden was the minister able to change her mind?' "There were so many excuses thrown at us, when actually, [the government] can make it happen. They just needed to do the work. "Unless you're willing to push and push and push, and they are dragged kicking and screaming, they actually won't take action."
