Video/Gallery: Princess Anne visits Colchester charity

Princess Anne meets Livability Treetops Service Manager Janet Bilton during her visit to Livability Treetops in Colchester on Tuesday.

The Princess Royal flew in to Colchester today as part of her work supporting a disability charity.

Princess Anne toured the Treetops residential care home in Highwoods, run by Livability.

The centre provides 21 high quality flats and 24-hour care for disabled people allowing them to live more independently.

During her visit Princess Anne saw a newly revamped bathroom, £10,000 sensory room and £8,000 physiotherapy equipment, all of which have been paid for through the charity’s Home Design Appeal for funds.

Princess Anne meets Livability Treetops Service Manager Janet Bilton during her visit to Livability Treetops in Colchester on Tuesday.

Livability hope to raise a further £190,000, with the appeal’s profile boosted among the public by the royal visit.

The funds will be used to improve more kitchens and bathrooms to allow disabled residents to live even more independently.

In a speech Princess Anne said: “It is a pleasure to be able to come here to Treetops. I’ve had the opportunity to visit a number of Livability’s colleges and schools and residential establishments, and the real understanding and effort that goes in to each individual is what sets Livability apart.

“We need to celebrate the extraordinary work that is done by so many people. Here at Treetops is a classic example.

“If we could support them in knowing that they will be well supported through the Home Design Appeal so much the better, because it’s their commitment that makes it possible for us to respond. So any help or input you can have on that basis will be gratefully received; practical proposals make a significant difference.”

Dave Webber, Livability’s chief executive, said: “The Home Design Appeal is about independence and the things we take for granted every day – such as when we eat, when we make a cup of tea our way and how we live in our space.

“It does not matter if that’s in a community or in care, the basic things should be the same. It costs us money, we need help to get there, hence the Home Design Appeal.”