The Leader of Surrey County Council has officially opened Emily Lodge – a new £5.7million short breaks service offering respite for families caring for adults with additional needs.
Tim Oliver was joined by families, his Cabinet colleague Sinead Mooney and key partners as he cut the ribbon on the purpose-built facility set in landscaped gardens in Goldsworth Park, Woking.
Featuring a sensory room, lounge and en-suite bedrooms, the new accommodation provides a safe, home-from-home environment where people with learning disabilities and autistic people receive tailored support while their carers get a break from their caring roles to rest and recharge.
Just over a year after gathering to mark the start of construction, families returned to the site to celebrate the official opening of Emily Lodge, alongside assembled staff and guests. They included representatives from architects AtkinsRealis and contractors Neilcott Construction, and leaders and colleagues from Surrey Choices, the social care provider operating the service on behalf of the county council.
Jean, mum to Jodie, told how her daughter had already enjoyed a five-night stay at Emily Lodge, with further stays to follow.
“The building itself is absolutely amazing. It has everything that would tick a box for Jodie – there’s nothing she can’t access, there is nothing she cannot do, she has all her favourite things on tap, she has her favourite people on tap, and she has her friends from the local area,” said Jean.
It was “absolutely amazing” to be able to drop Jodie at Emily Lodge and “not panic”, said Jean, adding: “I know she would be fine, she would enjoy everything that’s around, and she would enjoy all the facilities.”
Jean added: “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.”
Andrea, mum to Brandan, who has 24-hour care and support needs, told how her son was settling well for breaks at Emily Lodge, with the sensory room “his best place, his happy place”.
“As well as the building, which is magnificent, I think the staff are just as important. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts and thank you all for allowing us to have this beautiful space,” she said.
Andrea added: “It’s paramount for any carer, no matter what the needs are, just to allow yourself some normal time, if you like. That’s exactly what it is – that little bit of respite and recharge.”
Emily Lodge features eight spacious en-suite bedrooms designed to be fully accessible to wheelchair users and suitable for those with complex needs. Guests can enjoy new opportunities, make friends, gain new skills and connect with the local community during short stays without their family carers, who are able to take some time away from their caring responsibilities to focus on their own wellbeing.
Built on the site of the former Lakers youth centre, Emily Lodge is part of the council’s drive to modernise its short breaks service for people with learning disabilities and autistic people. A similar site, in Banstead, is under construction. Together, the two sites will provide nearly 4,000 additional nights of short breaks care in Surrey, extending this much-needed support to around 140 more families.
Tim Oliver, Leader of Surrey County Council, said: “We identified there was a gap for this sort of facility and to actually see this now – rising from the ashes of the former Lakers youth centre – is fantastic.
“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. That isn’t always recognised, and Emily Lodge is a wonderful way to provide them with support. It’s about the right support, in the right place, at the right time – that’s absolutely what we’re trying to achieve.
“Thank you to all those who have been involved in delivering this project.”
Sinead Mooney, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “When I came here today, I felt such an extremely positive vibe coming from this building.
“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. That’s what our ambitious supported independent living programme is all about – being an integral part of your community and accessing all those facilities like anybody else would. It’s fantastic to see this place up and running.”
Martin Farrow, Managing Director of Surrey Choices, said: “A very big thank you to Surrey County Council – your investment, trust and vision has been instrumental in bringing Emily Lodge to life. You’ve invested not just in the bricks and mortar but in people, in futures – and the impact of that will be life-changing.
“Emily Lodge isn’t just a place to stay, it’s also a place to grow. Our guests develop new skills, enjoy fresh new experiences, build friendships and gain confidence, and all with the support of the fantastic people who work here and the support functions that sit around them.
“Short breaks services also play a crucial role in supporting informal carers. Caring full time is a very demanding thing, and everyone deserves time to rest and recharge. It’s Emily Lodge that provides that break with peace of mind.”
As part of its Right Homes, Right Support Strategy, the county council is making a major investment in specialist accommodation to help people achieve greater independence. Other strands include providing extra care housing for older residents who will have support workers on hand if needed, and increasing the supply of supported living independent living accommodation for people with learning disabilities and autistic people, and those with mental health needs.
After hearing speeches, guests at the opening event in May were treated to tours of the building. Attendees also included local county councillors and Woking borough councillors, and representatives from the county council’s adult social care and land and property teams.
Access to short breaks at Emily Lodge is through Surrey’s adult social care service. An individual’s needs will be assessed under the Care Act and, depending on the outcome, they may be referred for short breaks.
