Wellness/Respite Facility

The Wellness Respite Retreat will be a state of the art, medically equipped retreat. It aims to provide a new lease life for patients in their treatment and recovery from Cystic Fibrosis. Ideally, the Retreat will be located close to the sea. The influence of salt water in the air, coupled with tranquil, outdoor garden space has been proven to provide multiple benefits for CF patients. The Retreat will create an atmosphere that allows patients and guests to breathe deeply, safely and easily.

The Retreat will consist of two-three bedroomed units. Each will be custom-built to a high medical specification to prevent cross-contamination. Each unit will consist of a main bedroom en-suite for patients and an additional bedroom for family and nurses/ carers, with an open plan living and dining area, kitchen facilities and a further main bathroom.

Each unit will be specifically fitted out to cater for CF patients, including wheelchair access and will have a natural holistic feel in design where patients and their families can feel safe and relaxed, thus expediting the recovery process. It will be a home away from home.

The main reception house will host the main treatment centre, where a range of
holistic services will be offered. These will include massage, reiki, reflexology, mindfulness, yoga and relaxation techniques. In addition, there will be CF-specific nutritional fitness training and physiotherapy.

It has been scientifically proven that holistic therapies can significantly increase the speed of recovery for a patient, with enormous benefit to their physical and mental wellbeing whilst in hospital. Giving CF patients direct access to these services will have significant benefits.

The main reception will house appropriately qualified medical staff to assist patients with treatments. The reception staff will also arrange transport and satellite services between the hospital.

After extensive research, scientists have unanimously agreed that sea air and
tranquil gardens can indeed promote healing. There is strong evidence that it can reduce levels of pain and stress. In so doing, boosting the immune system and promoting healing.

For some, the retreat will be the last time they spend with their loved ones.
Therefore, the development of this retreat is critical for thousands of CF patients across Ireland. It aims to bring peace, tranquility and dignity to those spending precious final weeks together. Simultaneously it aims to provide hope and strength to those who continue to battle against the condition.

We at the Julian Benson Foundation are passionate and dedicated about making this vision a reality. We believe that CF sufferers and their families deserve the best of medical care and complimentary therapeutic treatments possible. Ireland’s first dedicated Wellness Respite Retreat for Cystic Fibrosis patients and their families will deliver this much needed service.