A CHARITY offering respite care is to buy a building in Oxford so that it can continue offering its services.

A document released as part of the NHS’s plan to sell surplus land has revealed that a building on Saxon Way, in Headington, where Oxford Respite Service is based, is “considered surplus or has been declared surplus” and that “the landowner is actively seeking to dispose of the plot.”

Southern Health, who owns the building, said they no longer provide services in Oxford and that it is in the process of selling the property.

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A spokesperson for Southern Health said: “We no longer provide services in Oxford and have transferred or sold almost all the estates we held in the area.

“The building is currently leased to a charity who are looking to purchase the premises. We know how valued the site and services are within the local community and are working with the charity and the council to facilitate the sale and ensure it can continue to support people in the area.”

Oxford Respite Service exists to enable children, young people, and adults with learning disabilities and autism, to live life in the way they choose.

Rachel Dalby, a support worker, said she has been working on Saxon Way for the past 15 years and that the move will help the charity to continue to provide important services needed in the community.

She said: “This building is incredibly important for the guests that use it and the staff team here know how much the service is relied upon.

“It’s important that we can still provide this kind of care in the centre of Oxford – we have guests that can’t always travel and it helps that this building is close by and close to people’s homes.

“This building is what people need, especially those who suffer from autism, as they rely on knowing their surroundings and knowing exactly where they are to feel safe.”

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The estimated sales receipt of the land, according to NHS data, is £840,000.

The NHS long term plan hopes that the service will better its use of land, buildings and equipment, aiming to dispose of unnecessary land for reinvestment.

The surplus land collection is mandatory for all NHS sites, including ambulance trusts and it relates to sold, surplus and potentially surplus land.

As of March this year, 478 plots of land have been declared as surplus, or potential surplus by more than 100 trusts. Of these, 67 have already been sold.

The sale of these plots generated a total sales receipt of £94.07 million.

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This story was written by Anna Colivicchi, she joined the team this year and covers health stories for the Oxfordshire papers. 

Get in touch with her by emailing: Anna.colivicchi@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @AnnaColivicchi