Short breaks for people with learning disabilities
What’s available?
There are two properties in the Richmond area that operate as guesthouses to enable people who have a learning disability to enjoy a short break. Both have facilities for people with disabilities and trained staff on hand to offer help and support where needed. Richmond Mencap also runs a holiday programme.
What accommodation is available?
Egerton Road
Egerton Road is a house in Twickenham that provides opportunities for you to experience greater independence with the reassurance that members of staff are available on site. It offers a lively environment where there’s always lots going on. You can make friends, learn to cook and socialise at parties and local events, whilst still attending work or college. There are also evenings for carers to get together and socialise. You can stay overnight or for short breaks and a bed is kept open for emergencies.
Egerton Road also runs a Tea Club most weekday evenings where you can also make new friends and staff help you to go out for meals and to go on outings.
Leisure Break Service
This monthly service, run by the Richmond Homes for Life Trust, enables a small group of people, with staff support, to have an overnight stay away from the family home. Call them on 020 8977 5447 for more information.
Richmond Mencap Holidays (Holiday Opportunities Programme)
Richmond Mencap runs holidays for adults who live independently, or with their carer, in the borough. You can go on holiday to lots of different places and help to choose the places that you visit.
Who can stay at Egerton Road?
Egerton Road offers accommodation to people over the age of 18, who have a learning disability and usually live in the borough. Take a look at our page on eligibility for more details.
What if I prefer to organise my own support?
Our priority is to support people who have no other option or need additional help. If you’re happy with the support you’re able to organise, you don’t have to contact Adult Social Care if you’d rather not.
What support can I get?
We’ll need to discuss with you what support you might need. We call this an assessment.
We may offer you short term assistance called Reablement to regain your independence or confidence. This service lasts for up to 6 weeks and is free.
After Reablement, we’ll discuss any ongoing needs you might have through a Self Directed Support (SDS) Assessment, where we’ll estimate the cost of your support and let you know whether we can make a financial contribution.
Can I get help with the cost?
You may have to contribute towards the cost of your support, depending on your level of savings, income and expenses.
We’ll help you to fill out a financial assessment form to see if you qualify for help. To get a rough idea of costs and how much you’ll pay, you can carry out a quick, confidential, financial self assessment online.
If we can make a contribution, we call this a Personal Budget. You can look after the money yourself and use it to arrange your own support, or you can ask the Council to hold the money and help you to find the support you need.
What if I don’t qualify for financial support?
If you don't qualify for financial help from us, you could arrange to employ someone directly, a Personal Assistant, to support you. Hestia, a local organisation, can help you to find someone.
The Money Advice Service, set up by government, provides free, unbiased and independent advice, including useful information on employing your own personal assistant.
You could also contact a private home care agency. Remember to take care to choose an agency that’s registered and inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Call 03000 616161 or email enquiries@cqc.org.uk. We maintain a list of home care agencies
(pdf, 267KB) in the borough.
Paying for Long Term Care in England is a guide for older and disabled people that signposts them to independent financial information and advice if they are considering accessing long term care. Follow the link to find out more and to access the guide.
More information
Our Carers Directory(pdf, 598KB) contains information on all aspects of caring.
How to get in touch
To find out more about staying at Egerton Road, contact one of our Care Managers on 020 8487 5315.
Please contact me about this service
If you’re still unsure you can contact the Adult Social Care Access Team