The cost of building a new short-stay respite centre for those with learning disabilities has likely tripled from its pre-pandemic price of £1.2m say charity volunteers.
Supporters of the Ipswich branch of Mencap thanked the town for its support over Christmas as it gave an update on its vision to open a new centre.
Barbara Thorn is a senior trustee of the branch which supports those with learning disabilities or Down’s Syndrome and their families.
Volunteers from Mencap collected donations at locations around the town between November 22 and December 23.
In this five-week period, £4,051.45 was raised.
Mrs Thorn said: “These are fantastic amounts of money and will go a long way to continuing our support to those who have learning difficulties and the wider community.”
However, this amount is significantly less than in previous years.
“Prior to Covid, we would be collecting £10,000 or £12,000 on those few days. Even last year, it was £6,000 plus,” she said.
“That’s quite a difference – but people just haven’t got the money.”
The Ipswich branch is hoping to raise enough funds to create a new respite centre, or ‘short break unit’, in addition to Burgess House in Felixstowe Road.
“This is a house where people with learning disabilities can go, perhaps for a night or a weekend,” Mrs Thorn explained.
“It’s usually when a parent is caring, and they are at desperation point, when they need a break, and there are no other options.”
The unit also provides emergency accommodation, for example if a parent or carer of a person with learning disabilities is admitted to hospital.
The initial estimate Ipswich Mencap was given for the new unit was £1.2 million.
However, with the current cost of living crisis, Mrs Thorn said this amount is likely to have tripled.
“We need some desperate support,” she said. “We need a sponsor that is prepared to come in with us, and do the new build.”
She also said that the organisation was also in need of more volunteers.
“I’d say the average age of us is 70,” she said. “I worry that if anything happens to us, what will happen to the respite unit?”
Mrs Thorn concluded: “We will continue to keep fundraising with the hope that one day, our dream will be reality. Until that time, our support must continue as it currently is.”
For more information or to get in touch, visit: www.ipswichmencap.org.uk/
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