FOOTBALL boss Rafa Benitez and his wife, Montse, picked up their spades and started work on a new state-of-the-art home for people with autism.
The new property, being built at Wirral Autistic Society’s complex at Raby Hall, Bromborough, will incorporate many features to help the eight adults who will be moving in early next year.
Montse, whose charitable foundation is supporting the project, said: “The Foundation is very proud to support the exceedingly good and dedicated work of Wirral Autistic Society.
“Autism has such a huge impact on all the family. Wirral should be very proud to have such a fantastic facility on its doorstep.”
Robin Bush, chief executive of WAS, said: “Good quality residential accommodation for people with autism is in incredibly short supply right across the country.
“We want to create a home for life, where carers can help the residents build their confidence and self-esteem, achieving the best possible quality of life in an environment which can be adapted to their individual needs.
“We see this is a lasting legacy which can be passed on to future generations in Wirral.”
One of the building’s first residents will be Thomas Whelan, 23, who has been living at Raby Hall for five years.
His mother, Becky, said: “We are so excited that he’ll be moving into the new building. It’s going to be wonderful for him – he’ll be more independent and he’ll still be amongst friends.”
The home is the first part of a ten-year project to modernise all of the charity’s facilities.
Features will include:
Mood’ lighting, which can be used to ‘paint’ rooms different colours and help calm or stimulate a resident. Pink and purple have been found to be positive colours and grey to be calming, although all people respond differently.
Wide corridors to reduce claustrophobia and crowding.
Under-floor heating and integrated window blinds (people with autism can be extremely sensitive to light and heat).
Easy access to open air and the grounds, which are in a rural setting.
Modern laundry and kitchen facilities, which residents can learn to use with the help of their carers.
En-suite bathrooms.
