Community
Leeds welfare deal is 'the perfect solution'
Welfare board residents will transfer to vacant premises on the Donisthorpe care home site in a move that will 'reduce costs and improve efficiencies'
March 11, 2021 16:06
Welfare board residents will transfer to vacant premises on the Donisthorpe care home site in a move that will 'reduce costs and improve efficiencies'
March 11, 2021 16:06Sixteen Leeds Jewish Welfare Board residents are being relocated to purpose-built premises on the site of the local Donisthorpe Hall care home.
Welfare board CEO Liz Bradbury said residents were “very excited” by the move to the vacant Woodlands building at Donisthorpe. It was previously used as a dementia unit but has been unoccupied for two years.
“The needs of people with learning disabilities entering residential care are significantly higher than when the previous homes in Cranmer Bank were built,” Ms Bradbury explained.
“This is the perfect opportunity to re-envisage communal living and future-proof provision for the Jewish community in Leeds.
“The residents have been involved in the decoration of their new home, which will provide additional indoor and outdoor space — all of which is accessible for wheelchairs — as well as improved facilities.”
Works on the site are being completed and the residents are expected to transfer early next month.
The project has been supported by the Marcia and Andrew Brown Charitable Trust, which facilitated the discussions with Donisthorpe. The cost has been met through “LJWB restricted funds allocated to learning disabilities”.
LJWB chair Russell Manning added that with spare capacity at Donisthorpe, “it is the perfect solution to consolidate our community resources and align the two facilities.
“This venture marks the start of LJWB and Donisthorpe working in partnership to ensure long-term provision of care for the Jewish community in Leeds.”
The charity says “future avenues are being explored”.
Donisthorpe chair Robert Ross believed the venture would benefit both parties by “reducing costs and improving efficiencies. Although Woodlands and Donisthorpe will be separately registered with the Care Quality Commission and run independently, there will be many benefits from sharing resources and expertise.”
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