As many of you will be aware I have, for some time now, been an ardent supporter and follower of Reach for Health, a fantastic organisation that helps with the rehabilitation of those who have experienced a major health trauma. I cannot speak highly enough of this wonderful charity and the worthwhile work they do for my constituents and others.
This is why I want to take this opportunity to provide an update on Reach for Health’s current progress in securing new premises and, once again, back their efforts.
To provide some background, Reach for Health cannot continue in their current building and they require larger premises. Something that is testament to their remarkable success and ambition, not to mention the dilapidated and expensive nature of their current location.
The proposed new building is approximately double the space of the existing site. The existing building is much too small for the current demands made upon the charity for physical and mental health rehabilitation services and specialist groups. With some days seeing in excess of 160 visits by service users who need an increase of at least 30% in available space as things stand today. Over 95% of service users are now referred by the NHS and the expectation is for an increase of at least 50% in NHS referrals over the next 3 years. Despite the high rate of referrals Reach for Health receives no funding from the NHS.
This new premises will undoubtedly afford Reach for Health the ability to continue and expand the fantastic help they offer. Take, for example, that the proposal also includes a very substantial increase in the social area available to service users, somewhere they can sit with a drink and a snack and share their troubles and concerns. It also includes a designated room for teaching.
With this in mind, it may be helpful to explain the next challenges that Reach for Health face to achieve their ambition. Crunch time for Reach for Health is fast approaching and I would advise all those supporters of this charity to make their views known considering the following important dates:
- The proposal will be presented to the DDC Strategy Group Meeting on the 7th February when it is hoped the scheme will be recommended to DDC, where the final decision will be taken.
- This has to be subject to planning approval; the project is due to come before the DDC Planning Committee on 20th February.
- The final presentation will be made to a Full Council Meeting on 21st February when full and final approval will be sought.
In my capacity as the Member of Parliament for Daventry I would certainly commend Reach for Health’s plans and I hope to see DDC fully approve this fantastic project. I think it is clear what my thoughts are on this proposal but I appreciate DDC have to go through all the correct due diligence and process before they spend what is local Council Taxpayers’ money. Feel free to let myself and your local District Councillor aware of your views as this critical moment for Reach for Health looms.
If you would like to learn more about all that Reach for Health does I would recommend taking a look at their website using the following link: https://www.reachforhealth.co.uk/.