THE Meadowside home just off Highweek Road in Newton Abbot, gives 24/7 care for eleven adults with mental and physical disabilities, some quite complex, writes Rotarian Martin Smith.

We call Meadowside a forever home, which it is, most of the residents have no living family members and two have lived there for over 30 years.

The resolute team of carers work extremely hard to make it a home and not a sterile care home.

Like all charities funding, particularly over the last year has been extremely difficult, a several fund-raising events, support from Rotary Newton Abbot and local businesses has kept the charity going, without it, there is no doubt it would have closed.

With no direct funding, the only income comes from the personal accommodation allowances or state pensions of the residents.

This is never enough to meet the ever-increasing costs of energy, staffing, legislation and food costs. Requests for increased support with the authorities has been ongoing for many months, a resolution is hoped for very soon.

To supplement the charity’s income and to make it sustainable, six months ago, the Mid Devon Advertiser front page was the DIY SOS message, requesting help for charity.

This really kick started work for the charity, the vehicular access after five years of stops and starts began with the help of ‘Jules’ of DIY SOS repute, local businesses supported his work, including Bradfords Building Supplies and Brunel Building Supplies based in Brunel Road. Considerable help came from the Rotary Newton Abbot team, the most significant help came from E and JW Glendinning who finished off the entrance drive by tarmacking the surface.

In the home itself an anonymous benefactor supported the purchase of a commercial dishwasher assisted by CR Woods of Ipplepen with another kind individual helping with the purchase of handheld devices to monitor the complex needs of the residents.

In addition, the O’Neill & Holman local decorating team spruced up the interior of the home and JMV Solutions assisted by upgrading the obsolete internet and phone systems.

Jetwash wizard gave a much needed clean of the outside of the building and checked the roof with their drone surveillance system.

The charity is fortunate to have Kevin Sherwood of Sherwoods as a trustee and he and his team with several other local businesses continue to conduct the many maintenance works needed to keep on top of the ageing building.

With the near completion of the access, it has enabled the charity to start work on their big project – The Meadowside Day Care Hall.

The old school hall in the grounds is being renovated into a care & respite centre, been funded by The Clare Milne Foundation, One Stop Shops, B&Q Neighbourly and Screwfix Foundations grant funding.

A significant saving has also been made after the generous offer by Sierra Windows and ADS windows to provide and install new windows.

It has been established that in the TQ12 & TQ13 postcode areas there are 2,800 plus unpaid carers* and many more in the surrounding areas – this demonstrates that there is a huge need for the centre; the new revenue it will bring in will make a difference to the sustainability of the charity, making it less reliant on fund raising.

Trustee Martin Smith explained ‘The challenging work of our team of five volunteer trustees led by Lynn McElheron and the team of dedicated carers to get to this stage has been relentless but the outcome we hope will be well worth it.

‘The Meadowside Hall we believe will enhance the life of the residents, offer a much-needed resource for the area, giving carers an opportunity to have time for themselves in the knowledge their loved ones will be in a safe environment.’

He added: ‘Meadowside has for years been a forgotten charity despite being an institution for over 140 years on the same site in several different guises.

The end is in sight a few more pounds to raise and continued support from the business community we will achieve our goal.’