Disabled children in Leeds will soon be able to enjoy short breaks away from home in a new state-of-the-art centre, thanks to a contract signed in Leeds this week.
Leeds City Council and the Leeds Independent Living Accommodation Company (LiLAC) have signed a contract to deliver a short break unit in Armley. Jack Lunn (Construction) Ltd is due to begin the works in January 2009, with completion planned for February 2010.
To be known as Rainbow House, the new building will provide stimulating short breaks for up to 12 children and young people at a time. It will also allow parents and carers vital time to spend away from their caring role, or with other members of the family.
The name was chosen as a result of a competition among disabled children, which was won by Kristina Pollard, who received a prize and certificate during a fun-day when children also designed a logo for the building.
The short-break unit will have 12 bedrooms, each with en-suite facilities and will be fully accessible to wheelchair users throughout. Three bedrooms will be in a specially designed self-help unit for young people over 14 to develop their independent living skills.
Cllr Stewart Golton, executive board member for Children’s Services, said: "It’s really fantastic news that Rainbow House is to become a reality. Disabled children and young people deserve the best we can give them and I’m confident that many young lives will be enriched by the opportunities that will be on offer there.
"The young people will be helped to gain confidence by being away from the home setting, in preparation for adult life. It will also mean that parents and carers take a break to re-charge batteries and spend time with family and friends, who often have to take a back seat when there is a disabled child in the family.
"And congratulations to Kristina for choosing the name ‘Rainbow House’. The rainbow is a symbol for promise and hope and this is exactly what the new unit will bring."
Already, young people have been consulted over blueprints for their bedrooms and have said that they are pleased with the design and spaciousness.
The gardens will include playground equipment, which the children and young people have helped to choose, a sensory garden and a special garden for the self-help unit.
Now children are helping to choose the furnishings and decorations and are involved in planning the building and play areas. There will be a sensory room, a soft play room and a large equipment play area and an outdoors play area.
The LiLAC Consortium comprises specialist housing provider Progress Care Housing Association, local company Jack Lunn (Properties) Ltd and M J Gleeson Group plc, whose specialist PFI company, Gleeson Capital Solutions managed the bid. Jack Lunn (Construction) Ltd, a local building company, is responsible for the design and build of the properties. Powerminster Gleeson Services will maintain the buildings.