Welsh Government awards £1.5m for new Bobath Children’s Therapy Centre

The Health Minister, Vaughan Gething has confirmed £1.5m Welsh Government funding to children’s charity Bobath Wales to help purchase and develop a new premises in Llanishen, Cardiff.

This significant grant will enable the charity to create a new modern, fit-for-purpose children’s centre which will result in a step-change in the provision of life-changing services to children and families living with cerebral palsy across Wales.

Bobath Wales was established 27 years ago with a mission to improve the quality of life of children in Wales who have cerebral palsy and other allied neurological conditions.  There are approximately 1800 children living with cerebral palsy in Wales today, and each year an additional 70 babies will have the condition. Cerebral palsy is the most common physical disability in children worldwide.

The charity provides specialist physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy to children from across Wales.

The new centre will help the charity to increase the number of children they can support by approximately 100 more babies and children per year. It will provide modern and accessible facilities for families, including changing facilities and hoisting equipment throughout.

The facility will also provide training for families, carers and professionals from Health and Social Care and Education.  It is hoped it will be opened in the summer of 2020.

Minister for Health and Social Services, Vaughan Gething, said: “Bobath Wales provides an invaluable service to children living with cerebral palsy and provides vital support to families.

“The investment will result in improved care for patients and a better experience for families. The £1.5m will allow more families to benefit from the fantastic services Bobath provides. I look forward to visiting the new centre to see how the investment will make a real difference to both staff and patients at Bobath Wales.”

Jenny Carroll, MA, MCSP, PGC (HE), Centre Director & Consultant Physiotherapist said:

“We are absolutely delighted that Welsh Government has approved funding for a new therapy centre for children and families living with cerebral palsy. The charity has made significant progress since it was founded by families for families in 1992 but we are very excited and grateful to have the opportunity to  create a modern, fit-for-purpose children’s centre. Thanks to the Welsh Government and the Moondance Foundation, we are looking forward to a future where we can grow and enhance services for children who have cerebral palsy and their families, from all across Wales.”