New multiple sclerosis respite ‘hotel’ concept is unveiled in York

A NEW charity has been launched in York to raise £2 million to create Britain’s first respite care “hotel” for people with multiple sclerosis and similar conditions.

The Alan Bott Centre has been set up following the Multiple Sclerosis Society’s controversial decision to close its respite care centres across the UK, including Woodlands, in Hull Road, York, which was fiercely opposed by some members.

The organisers say that, although Woodlands still existed, it was now a privately run rehabilitation centre specialising in brain injury conditions. And they claim that although it was still taking MS guests for short breaks, by July next year it would no longer provide the respite/holiday service that people using the centre during the past 20 years had come to recognise.

“The Alan Bott Centre, which is registered as a charity, is named after Alan Bott, who was the driving force behind Woodlands Respite Care Centre all those years ago,” said spokeswoman Jackie Chapman.

“It aims to make York the first city in England to provide a dedicated hotel with care support, especially for those who are wheelchair bound. York is the ideal location for such a facility because of its many attractions and open areas.”