Contracts exchanged on sale of Brambles Respite Care Centre

Contracts have been exchanged to transfer Brambles Respite Care Centre in Surrey from our ownership to new providers MS Respite & Care Services Ltd - securing its future as a respite centre for people with MS.

In November we signed an initial agreement with MS Respite & Care Services Ltd - an associated company of St Cloud Care, specialising in residential and nursing care. The agreement stated that MS Respite & Care Services Ltd would continue services for people with MS and transfer existing staff at the centre into their employment.

The centre has been temporarily closed since the end of November, but now that contracts have exchanged, it will re-open on 25 February - when first guests are set to arrive. We hope to complete the transfer by 29 March, from which point MS Respite & Care Services Ltd will take over the running of the centre. Bookings can now be made by calling the centre on 01293 771644.

Stuart Nixon, Vice Chair of the MS Society, said: "It's been a long process to get to this stage, with many twists and turns, but we're pleased that we've achieved what we set out to do and transfer Brambles into the ownership of such a well established care provider who will continue services for people with MS. We'd like to thank our staff for their ongoing commitment and support."

Phillip Connell, Director for MS Respite & Care Services Ltd, said: "We are delighted to be carrying on this excellent service established by the MS Society. We anticipate building on Brambles reputation with further investment to support the staff and the range of services offered."

In 2011 Leuchie House, our respite service in Scotland, was transferred to new management and last month Woodlands, in York, was transferred to new providers. Work is ongoing to transfer Helen Ley, in Warwickshire, to local charity Castel Froma. Confirmed bookings are being taken at Helen Ley up until 25 February – after which provisional bookings can be made but not guaranteed. We will have more information on Helen Ley soon.