During her first official visit to East Sussex, The Countess will enjoy a tour of Mary House the purpose built home in Hastings. Her Royal Highness will meet and talk to the young residents, their families and care staff many of whom have campaigned for years to have a new home built in the area. The Countess will also speak with key supporters of the project and observe the use of specialist sensory therapies in the home.

The visit will conclude with a short speech by Her Royal Highness, who will unveil a plaque to mark the occasion. At the end of her visit she will be presented with a small framed collage created by residents and staff at Mary House.

Providing a home to eight young people, Mary House, is owned and run by Martha Trust a small charity which provides lifelong residential and respite care for adults and children with profound learning and physical disabilities. Martha Trust also run two homes and a daycare centre in Deal, East Kent.

Graham Simmons, Chief Executive of Martha Trust commented; “We are delighted that HRH Countess of Wessex has accepted our invitation to attend our official opening ceremony. Our residents are looking forward to showing off their new home and meeting Her Royal Highness.” Mr Simmons continued; “Mary House has only been possible with the generous help of our supporters to whom we are very thankful. Our future plans include creating a sensory garden and building a hydro-therapy pool for our residents; both projects depend upon the success of our future fundraising campaigns.”

Places at Mary House have been over-subscribed as provision of high quality care for young adults with profound disabilities is meagre in East Sussex and indeed across the country. Many families have battled for 10 years to find their children somewhere suitable to live whilst coping with the pressures of caring for relatives with multiple disabilities.

The cost to build Mary House was £1.25 million, all of which had to be raised from individual supporters and grant-making trusts. Local authorities provide basic fees for each resident, but Martha Trust must raise over £250,000 each year to develop and improve the facilities and to ensure that residents enjoy a maximum number of opportunities.