Kelly’s Place respite facility opens its doors

Published on Aug 15, 2018

A new respite care facility for people with profound and complex learning disabilities has opened near Scarborough.

Kelly’s Place, founded by Ali Wilkins and run by Happy Futures Support Specialists Limited, is a bespoke two-bedroom bungalow in Burnside, Eastfield, featuring en-suite bathrooms, tracker hoists and ample moving space for wheelchairs.

It also has a large lounge, a fully equipped kitchen and a sensory room. The facility has been specifically designed to easily accommodate up to two individuals in a safe and comfortable environment.

Upgrading and development of the bungalow into the bespoke facility was part funded by NHS England (£20,000) and part funded by Happy Futures Support Specialists Limited (£38,000) while one of the two beds is funded in its entirety (£39,000 a year) by NHS Scarborough and Ryedale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

The CCG’s Senior Service Improvement Manager, John Turner, said the CCG had been working with Happy Futures and families to get the facility off the ground since 2014.

“I’m delighted Kelly’s Place is now open,” he said. “It’s a brilliant facility that will offer exceptional support for an individual with multiple learning disabilities, while providing much-needed respite for their families and carers. They will be able to take some time off and have a break knowing their loved one is going to be well looked after in a facility that meets all their needs.”

Support at Kelly’s Place is offered by skilled support workers expertly trained to support those with profound disabilities and complex needs, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Individuals can be supported at Kelly’s Place for up to 28 days.

Depending on the individual’s needs, Kelly’s Place offers one-to-one or two-to-one support with full day support and waking nights should it be required. Everyone receiving respite can also use the Happy Futures Skills Centre where they are able to expand existing skills, develop new ones and take part in a variety of activities.

Angela Fletcher, Managing Director at Happy Futures, a domiciliary support provider recently rated OUTSTANDING by the Care Quality Commission, said: “Concerned families made us aware of a shortage of quality respite care in 2014 and we knew something had to be done.

“What we now have is an incredible facility that will go a little way towards addressing the demand for short-term respite care. Throughout this process we’ve had some wonderful support from NHS England and NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG, but I particularly want to thank the families we’ve been working with for their dedication and passion.”

There are more images from the official opening event, here and you can view newsletters from Happy Futures, here.