A CHILDREN'S respite centre in Hereford closed its doors last week – but there are hopes that it could re-open later this year.

Parents of children who receive respite care at No 1 Ledbury Road were told in 2015 that the facility was earmarked for closure in March 2016 – but it received a ‘stay of execution’ for one year following a campaign.

However its doors closed last week and although Herefordshire Council has commissioned alternative short breaks services – including overnight residential breaks – parents have raised concerns about a reduced provision.

However, the charity, Children at Number 1, says that following 'very constructive' individual meetings with Wye Valley NHS Trust and Herefordshire Council's children services a proposal is being constructed to re-open the tailor made respite facilities at No 1 Ledbury Road later this year.

Kevin Basden, chairman of the charity, said: "The proposal for a six-bed facility is to include respite resources to all family units affected by the issues of caring for children with disability and challenging behaviour or both for the whole of Herefordshire, not only those who have used the facilities in the past.

"It is hoped this new ‘charity’ will raise significant money from the local community and national charities to ensure this valuable and much needed resource flourishes in this new economic climate."

Ideas include offering day time nursery services, ‘baby sitting’, holiday clubs, peer group weekends, extending to allow young adults 18-25, and other support services.

In order to gauge the demand for the various ideas being put forward, the steering group coordinating the bid proposal is conducting market research though a questionnaire leaflet entitled ‘If only’.

Councillor Marcelle Lloyd Hayes, who has long campaigned to keep the facility open, said the charity had been invited to produce a 'sound and sustainable' business plan following a meeting with the chairman of Wye Valley Trust.

She said: "This will take time but there is an enormous amount of local support and the need is clearly there. In the interim we must make sure that the valuable indoor and outdoor equipment does not end up in a skip."

She added that negotiations are to be held regarding the equipment.

To receive a copy of the questionnaire leaflet, email kbasden@childrenatno1.org

All answers can be given anonymously. If you wish to support this new organisation in any way please also email the address above.