THE Abbey Rise day centre in Tavistock celebrated its official opening last week by the chairman of Devon County Council, Cllr Andrew Moulding.
The new facility opened its doors last September when the council’s previous day service for people with learning disabilities at the Molly Owen Centre closed. That building had become no longer fit for the service and was located on the edge of an industrial estate.
In contrast, the new facility at Abbey Rise is a modern, bright and spacious facility, close to the town centre so that day service users can enjoy easy access to everything in the town.
The move was warmly welcomed by users of the service and their families, as it offers far more opportunities to support individuals to do, and experience, new things.
One of its highlights is a state-of-the-art hoist for use by people who require assistance to walk. Best described as a parachute harness that tracks along a supported beam running right through the facility, the hoist enables its users to walk with support in each room.
The hoist also supports users while they stand at work surfaces, learning daily living skills.
The new facility at Abbey Rise has a fully equipped and adapted kitchen to help people learn independence and living skills.
The centre also has a new sensory room, which is designed to stimulate mind and body, and it has a ‘Changing Places’ facility — a larger than usual, purpose-designed toilet and changing facility for people with disabilities, which can be used by people visiting the area. It is accessed with a Radar key.
Marking the occasion last week, chairman of Devon County Council Cllr Andrew Moulding, unveiled a plaque. He said: ‘Abbey Rise is offering people who attend a modern and bright facility that helps them with their daily living. Inside, it’s equipped with modern moving and handling equipment to support people with mobility difficulties and outside it’s easily accessible to town and the local community, which presents lots of positive opportunities.’
Cllr Stuart Baker, the county council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for adult social care, said: ‘The new building is really something to be proud of and I’m delighted that people who had been at the Molly Owen Centre are now enjoying Abbey Rise’s many benefits.’
Devon County Councillor for Tavistock Cllr Debo Sellis said: ‘I am very pleased to support the new facility, which I know is popular and enjoyed by those who use the service and their families. I was never keen on the location of the former day centre, so the fact that Abbey Rise is so much nearer to the heart of our community is just brilliant.’