The Rose Road Association has played a vital role in the Southampton community for more than 70 years supporting young people with complex physical and learning disabilities and their families.
Last week Bishop Rhiannon was invited to tour the Rose Road’s Bradbury Centre and hear about the difference it makes to families from across the city, Hampshire and surrounding counties. She has also become Ambassador for the Association, following a long tradition amongst previous Bishops of Southampton.
Bishop Rhiannon said, “What I’ve seen today has been totally inspirational. I always knew that it was amazing here, but I didn’t know the scale of it and the size of it. I’ve met some amazing people who use the centre and amazing people who care for them.”
The Rose Road Association supports nearly 400 children and young adults by providing a range of services including respite care and day services where they can enjoy a range of activities such as crafts, cooking, music therapy as well as trips to places in the community such as swimming, football matches, shopping or accessing local clubs.
The centre also has a cinema room, soft play and sensory room and the charity provides community outreach services, holiday and Saturday playschemes. Bishop Rhiannon was shown the 14-bedroom facility ‘Oaks and Acorns’ which can offer an overnight, weekend or week’s stay, giving vital respite to families.
She met and talked to carers and young people. Rose Road has over 200 staff including full time, part time and bank staff as many service users require 1 to 1 care. Bishop Rhiannon was told that recruitment of staff and fundraising can both be a challenge.
Fundraising Manager Beth Rogers said, “It’s been amazing to have the opportunity to show Bishop Rhiannon what we do here at Rose Road and to meet some of our young people and our staff team as well. We feel very honoured that she has become part of our ambassador team. Without our ambassadors, we couldn’t do what we do. We need to raise over half a million pounds every year and our ambassador team help us to raise awareness in the city and across the county about what we do and to find families that might need our services in the future. We’re really excited that Bishop Rhiannon will be able to help us to do more of that in the city.”
Rose Road was founded in 1952 and opened the purpose built Bradbury Centre in 2004 to give more space and expand its services. It’s one of the biggest charities in the city. Some of the children and young people receive funding from the council or NHS but Rose Road relies on fundraising and the demand for services continues to increase.
Bishop Rhiannon added, “I’ve learnt a lot today and now I can tell other people about it. It would be great if as the church we can help Rose Road as much as we can. We can pray for them and churches, particularly in this local area, can help support it and all the families and all people who come here.”
Beth Rogers explained, “Rose Road gives a young person somewhere to come and spend time with friends and do activities they wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to do and grow those skills for independence. I think for families, having someone that they can trust that’s part of their everyday family life is really important. We know too that with regular and planned respite, families cope much better, so I think for a whole family unit, Rose Road is a really important place. Families always tell us, that there’s no judgment here. You can pick up the phone or knock on the door and say you need someone and we will be here to help.”
Revd Paul Woodman has been a volunteer chaplain at Rose Road for the last 5 years. Some of the children have life limiting illnesses and he can support families and staff during difficult times. He visits the centre and joins fundraising initiatives. He also hosts a monthly Tea and Toast listening space where staff can drop in and chat.
He said, “I think what I like about Rose Road is that whenever you come here, there’s always laughter, as we’ve seen today, as people enjoy themselves, but also you know that people are facing some sorrow in life. So, part of my role is not just sharing the joy but sharing with people some of the sorrow they might feel, either as parents or as members of staff. I can sometimes help by talking through some of those feelings, and listen to their views. I think for us as a church, it’s being part of the community, part of that Rose Road family”.
Bishop Rhiannon ended her visit by praying for the Rose Road Association, for those who work there, those who stay and those who come to visit. She prayed that ‘God would equip the charity to be the most beautiful blessing for those people and lead it from strength to strength.’
