From Mike Bomford, Exeter 382173, February 8, 2007

Families of people with complex learning and physical disabilities can soon access new short breaks opportunities in Exeter.  Devon County Council's £900,000 state of the art short breaks facility is due to open next month.

The single storey building on Polsloe Road, known as New Treetops, will be a three-bed unit for people with learning disabilities to stay for short periods, from a single night up to two weeks.

The purpose of the service is to provide overnight accommodation in a safe, tailor-made environment equipped to meet people's very specific care needs, with staff onsite at all times.  It provides a necessary break for carers from their caring roles.

The new service runs in conjunction with day services on the same site which provides therapy sessions and activities during the day.

A new hydrotherapy pool is also due to be completed next month for use by people using the short breaks and day services.

New Treetops is a light, spacious and modern building using the latest technologies including specialist baths and overhead hoists in all the disabled rooms. 

All bedrooms are fitted with epilepsy alarms and have wall mounted televisions.

The activities room is multi-functional which can be used for relaxation with portable sensory equipment or other activities.

The kitchen features a specially designed 'rise and fall' work top which allows people in wheel chairs to use it and contribute to food preparation.

Some rooms have patio doors leading to the outside, and there is a patio area for barbeques.

There are also plans to create a sensory garden with funds collected by the parents and carers group, 'Friends of Treetops', from various fundraising activities.

New Treetops takes its name from the original respite unit in Exwick, but the age and design of that old building meant that it had become impossible for it to accommodate a modern care service.

The Council explored the possibility of relocating the service to Haldon View before agreeing to the new site in the grounds of the recently developed Nichols day centre and flats for supported living.

Mrs Jenny Denham, who at first had concerns about the service moving from Exwick, said:

"The Council has taken into account earlier concerns from carers in terms of the design of the building and facilities. The hydrotherapy pool is fantastic. Access around the building is excellent and we're all looking forward to the facility opening."

Councillor John Rawlinson said:

"The new building is brilliant.  It's welcoming, light and airy and very well equipped to meet the needs of the people who will be using it.

"The short breaks service is a well used service that provides carers with essential breaks from caring, giving them chance to recharge their batteries from time to time.  Without the service, and without the opportunity to have an occasional break, carers can find it very difficult to continue.

"We, the carers and people who will use the service, are all looking forward to the new Treetops opening soon."

ROK's Project Manager, Gary Brooks, said:

"It has been very satisfying to work with the New Treetops team on such a worthwhile project and we hope staff and families using the centre get great benefit from the new facilities. Work has gone well and we are on course to complete New Treetops in February as planned."

Devon County Councillor for Polsloe, Cllr Richard Westlake, said:

"I'm very pleased that the building is almost completed. I'm sure that it will give a lot of benefit to people in Exeter."

Rok, which prides itself on being the 'Nation's Local Builder', has its roots in Exeter and enjoys close ties with the city through its building work - ranging from multi-million pound developments to property maintenance.