Families caring for loved ones with complex needs have been instrumental in securing the long-term future of respite care in B&NES.
Following uncertainty over its future 18 months ago, the families and Bath & North East Somerset Council have worked together to agree a new five-year contract with Dimensions UK at Newton House, Bath.
Newton House offers respite care and short-term breaks that give carers time to rest or focus on other responsibilities, while their loved one continues to receive the care they need.
One family commented: “It has been really encouraging to see ideas discussed with families genuinely reflected in the final outcome. We hope this approach will be used again in future to give families the support we need.”
Councillor Alison Born, Lead Member for Adult Social Care said: "This is much more than a contract renewal. It is a service reshaped with families, built on trusted relationships and focused on what matters most: high-quality, flexible respite that people can rely on. Thank you to the carers and their families who contributed their time over the last 18 months to make a real difference to respite support in B&NES.”
Rachael Dodgson, Chief Executive of Dimensions UK, said: “We know how difficult it has been for families and we are delighted that the families and carers we support can be reassured that our support will continue. Newton House is the only place of its kind in Bath providing overnight short breaks for families who care for loved ones with a disability. It has been fantastic, and a great privilege for us at Dimensions, to work alongside families to design this service in a way that truly reflects the needs of the people who use it.”
Dimensions is the UK’s largest not-for-profit support provider for adults with learning disabilities and autistic people. Together with Discovery, its wider Somerset-based organisation, Dimensions' team of 7,000 supports around 3,000 adults across England and Wales.
Newton House in Twerton, Bath is a supported short-break and respite care facility offering transitional support, day support and support with life skills. It is rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
