Phased plan to build respite centre announced

Alexandra House of Joy will now be built in three phases, instead of all at once

The time it will take to build a specialist care and respite centre for adults with severe learning disabilities will take longer because of rising construction costs.

Alexandra House of Joy will now be built in three phases, instead of all at once, at a site on Middle Wretchwick Farm off Wretchwick Way, in Bicester, Oxfordshire.

The charity said the strategy would ensure it progressed in a "responsible, sustainable way - one that reflects the needs of our future guests, the realities of the current climate, and the generosity of our supporters to date".

It has so far raised more than £950,000 to build the centre of excellence, with phase one expected to begin in mid-2026.

The charity is named after founder Rachael Scott-Hunter's daughter Alexandra, who died of sepsis in 2019.

She had a brain haemorrhage four days after she was born and grew up with severe learning disabilities.

Ms Scott-Hunter said her dream was to support all aspects of care under one roof.

"Everything you could possibly think of that they needed," she said.

"And I know it's never ever been done before. There are respite centres, there are day centres, nobody's ever brought the whole lot together."

'Long-term vision'

When Alexandra House of Joy registered with the Charity Commission in 2018, it was aiming to construct all the facilities at once at a projected cost of £2.1m.

But it said because of inflation, the Covid pandemic and supply chain challenges, this had risen to about £3.6m.

It said the three-phase construction model would enable it "to begin supporting families sooner, while retaining the full scope of our long-term vision".

The charity is named after Alexandra Scott-Hunter (pictured with parents Rachael and Ian)

Phase one involves the construction of a purpose-built centre of four ensuite bedrooms with individual patios, an assisted bathroom, accessible toilets, a sluice room, nurses' station, staff room, communal dining area, kitchen and reception area.

There will also be three bespoke activity rooms offering music, arts and crafts, and sensory therapy.

Phase two sees two additional bedrooms added, as well as a hydrotherapy pool and two more activity rooms.

Phase three adds two high-dependency hospice bedrooms, a family stayover flat, a chapel of rest, another activity room, and convalescent support services.

The charity said: "This phased plan represents a careful and deliberate response to changing circumstances.

"It honours the original promise made to our supporters and preserves the long-term goal of a centre that provides both short-term respite and holistic end-of-life care."

It said it was moving forward "with renewed energy and hope".