Charlie House has announced it is revising the plans and location for its specialist support centre in Aberdeen amid challenging economic conditions which have led to the projected costs almost doubling.
The charity’s board has taken the difficult, but “prudent”, decision to move away from the plans in the grounds of Woodend Hospital as it is no longer financially viable to continue with the original build on this site.
The board is, however, actively exploring alternative and more sustainable options.
Charlie House remains committed to delivering a specialist centre that will provide services and activities to families and babies, children and young people with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions in the North-east of Scotland.
As the first of its kind in the North-east, the centre would be transformative for local families.
Charlie House continues to support the children and families with a whole range of services in the meantime, as it has for many years. Further services and support mechanisms are being developed on an ongoing basis and are being provided for the children and their families.
The Charlie House Big Build Appeal was launched in November 2018 to raise funds for the planned specialist facility, with a target of £8million to cover the build and operating costs for the first six months.
Generous support from individuals, businesses, community, education groups and trusts and foundations has generated more than £5million in donations and pledges.
However, the build costs alone have now increased to more than an estimated £10millon, with projected operating costs also rising significantly.
Charlie House chief executive, John Brebner
John Brebner, chief executive of Charlie House, said the charity had a duty to the families it supports, now and in the future, and to its donors to ensure the new-build is both affordable and sustainable.
“The pandemic followed by the cost-of-living crisis, huge increases in inflation, the energy crisis and war in Europe and the Middle East have significantly impacted construction costs across the UK and the rest of the world,” he said.
“It will come as no surprise that our proposed new build has not been immune to these cost pressures. It’s been devastating to see our projected costs increase month by month, year by year, despite the best endeavours of our experienced project team to find efficiencies.
“We have therefore taken the difficult, but prudent, decision to move away from the original plans for the specialist centre at Woodend and, instead, explore more financially viable and sustainable options.
“It is imperative that we use our funding wisely so that we can not only deliver a new specialist service but are able to operate it without putting undue financial pressure on the charity, especially when the third sector is already struggling.
“Our services are critical to the wellbeing of the children and families that we support and will continue while we look at other options for the centre.”
Among the options being considered is a Children and Family Specialist Support Centre offering an expanded set of day services to those currently supported by Charlie House, as well as future families.
This could be either on a new site or developed within an already existing suitable building with land.
If feasible, a partial build or adaptation of an existing building could also significantly improve the services on offer, while acting as a hub for all activities and support across the region.
Mr Brebner said the charity was extremely grateful to all its supporters for their understanding and continued backing.
“We have managed to raise a huge amount of money thanks to the incredibly generous support from the local community. While there will inevitably be an element of disappointment that the original vision for Charlie House will now look a little different, we are grateful for the understanding amongst our donors and the time to pause, reflect and explore, new and more cost-effective plans that still allow us to create a centre that provides the vital support our families deserve.
“The families we support face a very uncertain future, with most of the children unlikely to live beyond childhood. During their short lives, they require 24-hour care, regular medication, medical procedures, specialist equipment and more to keep them alive.
“Many have multiple and complicated physical and neurological conditions, and their survival is dependent on technology. These additional challenges are overwhelming for parents and difficult to navigate,” he added.
“Although the changes to our plans may mean we are not able to offer overnight respite, palliative and end of life care – at least in the initial stages – everyone involved with Charlie House can be assured that we will continue to provide and further develop the core activities and support services that are essential for the wellbeing of the children and their families.”
Charlie House was established in 2010 to address the lack of specialist support available locally. Its services include a range of regular fully accessible and inclusive activities, activity short breaks, one to one and family therapeutic support, pre- and post-bereavement support and information and advocacy support.
The services improve the families’ mental health, wellbeing and resilience, helping them maintain positive relationships and enhancing their quality of life while enabling the whole family to enjoy the time they have together, however long or short that may be.
With only two similar facilities in Scotland, both located in the central belt, the specialist centre will be the only facility of its kind in the North-east, covering Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Orkney and Shetland.
Options and revised costs will be considered by the board of Charlie House over the coming months.
For more information about the support Charlie House provides, visit www.charliehouse.org.uk/