More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
A charity which provides care for disabled children has been able to revamp its centre thanks to a grant of almost £10,000.
We Are Beams, which supports families with disabled children across Kent, has refurbished its Dragon's Retreat in Hextable near Dartford. The home provides overnight care as a short break for children and young people up to the age of 19 years.
The young people who access Beam’s services will typically have one or more learning difficulties, complex health needs, physical or sensory impairment, challenging behaviour, autism or severe ADHD. It supports around 450 families across the county.
The respite centre has six-fully equipped bedrooms, a soft play area, sensory room, play room and garden. The charity was given a donation of £9,621 by the Morrisons Foundation, the charitable arm of the Morrisons supermarket chain, which meant it could refurbish the bedrooms and buy new soft furnishings. The corridors have also been given a makeover including a dragon mural to fit in with the name of the unit.
Maria Austen, trust fundraising officer at We Are Beams, said: “We are incredibly grateful to the Morrisons Foundation for the donation of £9,621 to support the refurbishment work in our Dragon’s Retreat six-bedded respite centre within We Are Beams. We are proud to have created a space for the children that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing which provides a ‘home from home feel’ for the duration of their stay.”
“Our bedrooms have been updated, we have replaced our waterproof mattresses, bedding, weighted blankets, towels and curtains. Our corridors have been refreshed with the addition of an excellent dragon mural which the children adore.
"New pictures on walls have added warmth and the whole area is a much richer environment for the children. We are looking forward to receiving our two new leather sofas and air conditioning which will be arriving imminently.”
Joe Scargill, Morrisons Foundation specialist, said: “Following the challenges of the past 18 months, I’m delighted that the work to renovate the Dragon’s Respite centre is now ready for children and their families to enjoy. Helping local charities is at the heart of what the Foundation is all about and I’m very proud that we have been able to make a difference to such a worthwhile cause.”
The Morrisons Foundation was set up by Morrisons supermarket in 2015 and awards grants for charity projects. Since launching, over £33 million has been donated to hundreds of charities across England, Scotland and Wales.
We Are Beams is running an appeal to raise £200,000 to transform its run-down garden. Sadly, over time the garden has been neglected, much of the equipment is old or broken so now requires a complete transformation with new specialist equipment, levelling out and a good outside cover so it can be enjoyed whatever the weather.
It is hoped the new outdoor space will have different zones including a sensory garden, storytelling area, vegetable patch and a fully accessible playground. Specialist equipment will include a sunken trampoline, wheelchair swing and nature table.
You can support the appeal by clicking here or text PLANTASMILE to 70085 to donate £5.
