A NEW residential home for adults with acquired brain injuries, learning disabilities and complex needs has opened in Newport.

New Bridges, a care provider supporting adults with complex needs has developed and opened its fourth residential home in the area.

Manor Lodge is a large Victorian property close to Newport City Centre and adds to New Bridges’ existing portfolio which includes Ty Newydd, Sandpiper, Woodside and The Elms.

The home provides accommodation and around the clock support for seven adults with acquired brain injuries, learning disabilities and complex needs.

As the building was previously a B&B, New Bridges was advised by property consultancy Bruton Knowles on how to maintain Manor Lodge’s Victorian features whilst recommending better use of space.

By utilising existing space differently, room was successfully made for the installation of a lift within the three floor property as well as equipping all bedrooms with en-suite facilities.

Richard Wheater, finance director at New Bridges says he is ‘thrilled’ with the new property. He said: “Our service users are settling in nicely. Not only were we able to successfully develop the property to meet their needs, but based on Bruton Knowles’ recommendations, we were able to provide extra room for service users to enjoy without compromising on the quality.

“The cost effective development of this property will hopefully allow us to invest and meet the demand for further specialist accommodation in this area, despite the tough economic conditions.”

Richard Frost, of Bruton Knowles in Cardiff said: “The saving in both space and money allowed for a number of extras to be included which worked out significantly cheaper for New Bridges than the alternative, which would have been to undertake a new-build.”

New Bridges opened its first home, Ty Newydd, in Newport in July 2007, as a home to six individuals with acquired brain injuries.

It aims to enable and support individuals to achieve lifestyles that are both satisfying to themselves and valued by others in society.

Those with an acquired brain injury will usually come to New Bridges requiring a high level of care following the acute phase of their rehabilitation.

Woodside opened in Newport in December 2011 providing residential care for six people. It caters both for able-bodied patients and for patients with a physical disability who may be wheel chair bound, including those who may require physical assistance with aspects of personal care. The Elms opened in the grounds of Woodside in December 2012 and provides accommodation for two women with acquired brain injury and complex needs in separate flats.

For more information visit www.newbridges.co.uk .