GRAHAM Construction has been appointed main contractor to create a pioneering support facility providing care for adults with autism and learning difficulties in Edinburgh.
The new Autism Day Care & Respite Centre will be situated on the site of Pefferbank Day Service on Duddingston Road West and will replace two existing day care facilities.
The new facility will be the first of its kind in Scotland and will offer 20-day support service places and overnight accommodation for six people. It is expected the respite resource will cater for up to 55 people per year.
City of Edinburgh Council is behind the £4 million initiative, which GRAHAM anticipates will be completed late this year. Regional director at GRAHAM Construction, Neil McFarlane, said, “There is currently nothing else like this and we are looking forward to delivering such a unique and worthwhile facility. We have delivered the nearby East Neighbourhood Offices and Craigmillar Library and are very proud to be playing such an integral part of the ongoing regeneration of the area.”
The new adult autism centre will feature bedrooms, activity rooms, quiet spaces and sensory rooms, all built around a central courtyard which will include both hard and soft landscaping, trees, and a ground-level trampoline.
The centre will also include state-of-the-art features such as under-floor heating, solar shading and intruder alarms.
Convener of Health and Wellbeing for the City of Edinburgh Council, Councillor Ricky Henderson, said, “For the first time adults with autism and learning disabilities will be able to access specialist services in a purpose-built environment.”
