A facility to help children with complex needs, supported by Newcastle Hospitals Charity, has been opened to support the city’s families.
The Tree House Early Years Centre, located in Elswick, is home to a range of services clinically complementing each other after previously being on separate sites.
An opening ceremony took place and Newcastle Hospitals’ Sensational Thinking Project mascot, Bobby the Dog, was in attendance to bring more cheer to what was already a joyous event.
The centre will host a range of services including therapies to support disabled children, diagnostic services for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, services for hearing impaired children and children with visual impairments. It will also host a midwifery service and a specialist health visitor.
The services are being provided by a host of organisations, with the centre allowing the chance for these services to be hosted in a purpose built Early Years setting within the local community.
Newcastle Hospitals Charity supported this project with £40,000 of funding, securing the facility’s accommodation for its first year.
The project involves The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Newcastle City Council.
Philip Bithell, Fundraising Manager from Newcastle Hospitals Charity, said: “The charity is proud to support such an excellent facility that brings together so many fantastic services under one roof.
“It’s a great example of the kind of community project we are seeking to support.”
Helen Rowland, one of the children’s community physiotherapists based at Newcastle Hospitals, said: “The charity’s support has been fundamental in enabling the centre to be used.
“It’s an excellent resource within the community and offers us a great opportunity to show how we can all work together.”
Councillor Lesley Storey, the Cabinet member for a Growing City at Newcastle City Council, said: “When a child comes here, they might be nervous, they might be unsure, but they’re stepping into very familiar territory, a warm and welcoming environment and I think that’s going to make a huge difference.”
You can watch a video on Newcastle Hospitals Charity’s YouTube channel about the facility’s opening here.
