Smithers
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Smithers opened in 1995 as a short-stay residential home providing short breaks. It has fully equipped overnight bedrooms for up to 4 children or young people, with complex physical and/or learning difficulties; often with associated health issues. A further 3 children can be accomodated during the day. Ages range from 2-18, occasionally 19.
Activities
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Activities can include arts & crafts, cooking, watching DVDs and playing in the garden or the soft play area. The emphasis is on fun. Facilities include fully equipped bedrooms, bathrooms and other rooms with hoists and specialist equipment, a soft play area, sensory room, ball pool and garden. A visit can be during the day or a ‘sleep over’ allowing the child to make and meet friends and to relax and enjoy themselves. |
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Smithers works in partnership with other services provided by Diverse Abilities Plus. These include Shapes, which provides domiciliary support for children and Project My Time, an exciting holiday activity scheme for children with complex needs.
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Jo Parsley, whose daughter Alice attends Smithers, says: 'Smithers provides an excellent service and is a very caring place. The staff are always friendly and I can completely relax when my daughter is there; I know she is in great hands and it is like a home-from-home and it really is wonderful.' |
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Short breaks offer a lifeline for families managing the challenges of providing full-time care for their child; a break for them, as well as a safe haven in any emergency.
They can choose and experience new activities during their stay, including outings to local attractions.
Staying at Smithers helps the children to develop greater independence, as well as social skills through interaction with a small number of other children.
Professional support
The individual, often complex, care needs of the children and young people are supported day or night by a team of specially trained staff who have particular skills in developing effective communication strategies for every individual.
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Support Workers at Smithers say: Katherine: 'I really love working here. The reward you get from working with the children is unreal. Diverse Abilities Plus is more like a family than an organisation. Each person matters, they are not just a number. Everyone is appreciated and cared for whether they use the services or help provide them.'Teresa: 'Smithers has a relaxed and fun environment where each child's needs are cared for. As well as providing support for the children, we support their familes - everyone needs a break and some time to themselves.' |
Smithers is inspected by Ofsted.
For more information please contact us or download a brochure.
