National charity Revitalise has officially reopened Jubilee Lodge, its respite holiday centre for disabled people and carers based in Chigwell, Essex.
For the last two years, Revitalise has been unable to run its usual respite holiday service due to the pandemic and has instead supported the NHS via a step-down service, taking patients from local hospitals to care for prior to their transition home, freeing up beds for the NHS to treat acute COVID-19 cases.
Nestled away in the leafy suburbs of London, Jubilee Lodge offers the best of both worlds with its relaxing setting on the outskirts of Epping Forest, but with the bustling capital city just half an hour away. The centre boasts a well appointed entertainment and bar area for socialising, plus a tranquil inner courtyard with a beautiful ornamental pond, where guests can relax in serene surroundings. The centre has 26 single and 5 twin rooms and can accommodate 36 guests in total. Overall, the centre supports 1500 guests a year.
Revitalise is the UK’s largest specialist provider of respite holidays for disabled people and their carers with 24-hour care. Revitalise caters for over 150 conditions including Alzheimers, MS, Paraplegia, Motor Neurone Disease, and Cerebral Palsy from their three specialist centres in Essex, Southampton and Southport, providing 4,500 holidays each year for people who might otherwise have no opportunity to take a break.
The charity is an important lifeline in the disability and care sector. Living with a disability can be relentless and tiring. Accessibility, affordability, and stigma are major barriers for disabled people trying to find much needed breaks. Carers also need quality time to unwind and reset with many close to physical and mental breaking points. Revitalise centres give disabled people and their carers the fun and stress free breaks they want, with the support and care they need.
Janine Tregelles CBE said: “After two years of supporting the NHS with a Step Down Service, I am delighted to re-open our centre in Chigwell; Jubilee Lodge. We have run Jubilee Lodge for over 50 years and it is wonderful to see the doors reopen to our guests after such a difficult two years and to breathe fun and excitement into the building.”
“We also have ambitious plans for the centre and are undertaking a major refurbishment project over the coming year to ensure we can continue to offer our guests the highest quality of care in facilities that offer a refreshing alternative to traditional residential respite care.”
