East Sussex County Council has invested more than £750,000 in the complete refurbishment of the Dorset Road Children’s Resource Centre which includes the Acorns Unit.
The new unit has been operating since April but on Monday (30 July) the County Council’s Lead Cabinet Member for Children and Families, Cllr Meg Stroude will cut a ribbon to formally mark the centre’s reopening.
She said: “This really has been money well spent. This service is so valuable for families that have children with disabilities. It basically provides a home from home for the child, somewhere for them to be looked after and cared for, while the family has a break.”
The refurbishment means that Acorns can now expand its service and five new members of staff have been recruited.
Acorns has previously provided a temporary home for 45 children with a range of learning disabilities aged 10–19, mainly from the Rother, Hastings, Bexhill and Eastbourne areas. The refurbishment means it can now provide accommodation for children aged seven and above, and can also provide for those with physical disabilities.
The unit now has seven bedrooms for the young people compared with the previous five and has completely new bathrooms, kitchen and living accommodation. It has also been completely adapted to ensure it is fully accessible to people with disabilities.
The other parts of the Dorset Road building house a social work team, and an Outreach service, both of which are also benefiting from the refurbishment.
Cllr Stroude added: “Acorns has been providing support for the children of East Sussex in one shape or form for very many years. This refurbishment means that it can not only continue to do so, but can expand and provide even more help to those who need it most.”
Reference:
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