Robins Respite & Life Skills Centre
Robins ... the place
Robins is situated in the middle of the picturesque village of Dartington, near Totnes in South Devon, surrounded by beautiful countryside and the Dartington Hall Estate. Robins is a warm and welcoming home which combines quality and style with safety and accessibility. There is a large lounge, separate activities space and a new interactive sensory room. As well as a modern kitchen that produces healthy and delicious meals there is also a training kitchen where children can develop their skills in making their own snacks and drinks.
Each bedroom is individually decorated and furnished to suit the children's needs
and bathrooms are equipped to cater for differing disabilities.To support individual children's physical needs, there is a lift as well as stairs to the first floor and there is a range of lifting and moving aids.
Outside the children can use a purpose built garden and play area. They also have access to a large well equipped playground, hydrotherapy pool, sports field and nature walks. Robins has its own transport that will accomodate wheelchairs.
Robins is regularly inspected and always achieves good reports in standards of care.
Within Robins there is also a separate two bedroomed apartment for young people to live if they cannot live at home anymore. Young people aged up to 20 years old can stay full time on a medium or long term basis whilst continuing to attend their school or college.
Your stay at Robins
Whether staying for a night or a week you will receive a warm, friendly welcome when you arrive. Prior to your stay we will have assessed your needs and visited you at school or at home. Families will have come for tea and we will know all about your medication needs as well as what you like and don't like. You will have one member of staff who is your own keyworker and who will know you the best.
You will have your own bedroom and always someone there to help you, if you need them, as well as assisting you to develop your own independence. Besides building up your living and social skills there will be lots ofactivities and fun on offer and you will make many new friends. You will be able to play games in the activity room, try out the sensory room, enjoy working on computers, play or relax in the garden and use any of the toys and games we have. You can choose to join in activities such as outings and visits, arts and crafts, just chilling out or something you really like to do.
You will have a very enjoyable time at Robins, and as we make it as much like home as we can, you will feel cared for and safe.
How to arrange respite at Robins
If you are a parent or carer of a child with learning disabilities and you need a break from caring, whether to recharge your batteries, have time with the rest of your family or to give your child some time away, then you are probably eligible to receive funding for carers' breaks. Funding is available through a number of ways but is dependant on a needs assessment by your care manager or social worker.
Your social worker will guide you through this process although your school may be able to help you too. For more information do not hesitate to contact us.
An ideal time to express your needs and concerns is at your childs annual review. It may be that you do not feel you need respite support at the present time but may need it in the future.
It is best to plan your future needs now, or it may be
that another form of support is more suitable.
To help you make up your mind please come and visit Robins or telephone us. We are here to help!
Robins was set up to keep families together and continues to work to this goal.
To find out more about respite at Robins, the residential apartment, or one of our other projects please contact one of the team on 01803 840744 or email us at info@lifeworks-uk.org
We are also able to offer advice on how to get a needs assessment as well as arrange a visit to Robins.
Click on the following link to see some memorable moments at Robins