A brain injury rehabilitation unit which has supported people to rebuild their lives for over 30 years has reopened after a major refurbishment.
Daniel Yorath House was opened in 1992 by the Disabilities Trust, and has gone on to support thousands of people from across the UK to regain skills after a brain injury, with many of them able to return to their homes and jobs.
The centre, in Garforth, Leeds, has been subject to a refurbishment programme since March last year, with essential upgrades to help it continue to deliver the neuro-rehab patients need.
The project marks the start of a significant investment programme by the Disabilities Trust to broaden the reach of its rehab model.
Accessibility has been prioritised, with widened doorways, bedrooms for bariatric service users, an assisted bathroom with accessible bath and ceiling hoists in several bedrooms being added.
There is also a new reception area, with two airlock entry points to ensure the protection and security of residents and staff, alongside a newly refurbished physiotherapy gym, treatment rooms and communal areas.
The unit has remained open during the refurbishment, although with reduced occupancy, but has now fully reopened.
The rehabilitation model provided at Daniel Yorath House, as well as other rehabilitation centres run by the Disabilities Trust, provides restorative rehab, when people are first discharged from hospital, followed by compensatory rehab, or finding a way to overcome lost abilities. This is followed by long-term support to maximise quality of life and ensure skills aren’t lost.
The reopening event was attended by Christine Yorath, the mother of Daniel Yorath who the centre was named after, alongside Irene Sobowale, chief executive of the Disabilities Trust, and staff, service users and health sector professionals from across Yorkshire.
Irene Sobowale says: “I am delighted to be officially reopening Daniel Yorath House. I am thrilled that we can continue to provide the world-class neuro-rehabilitation that Daniel Yorath House is known for, in a much improved, modern setting.
“Adapting and refreshing our services to the needs of the people we support, whilst enabling their independence, is essential.
“This is just the start of a multi-million-pound improvement and expansion programme for the Trust that will see us broaden the reach of our rehabilitation model, to ensure we can support many more people with brain injuries to regain their independence.”
