Milton Keynes City Council have announced they have begun construction on a new centre where care and support will be given to local people with complex disabilities.

Linford Wood Place is receiving investment to replace ageing short break and day facilities, which are in place to give carers who look after adult family members at home a vitally important break.

The City Council said the facilities are being designed in close collaboration with the people that use the services and their families, and that they are investing in what they’ve agreed is most important, such as specialist bespoke equipment and welcoming spaces where residents can be cared for with dignity.

MK City Council declared that they are investing £13million in Linford Wood Place, including £4million of funding it has collected from housing developers. The refurbishment work will take around nine months.

Nestled in the outskirts of Linford Wood among surrounding woodland, while just minutes from the city centre, Linford Wood Place will support up to 59 adults each weekday when it opens next year. It will have tailored activity spaces, dedicated areas for personal care (including 13 bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms), specialist equipment such as powered overhead hoists, a cinema and music room, three kitchens and a private garden.

In a statement, Councillor Donna Fuller, Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Communities, said, “Bringing together our short breaks and day services in a dedicated new space has lots of advantages and should mean a better experience for everyone. We’ve had some great feedback from families and the professionals who support them on how the centre should look and feel, and what kind of facilities it should include. I’m proud that we’re investing in a thoughtfully designed centre that will help local people for many years to come.”

Luton Town slid to defeat in the EFL Trophy as the managerless Hatters were beaten 3-1 away at Cambridge United.

In their first game after the dismissal of Matt Bloomfield, Luton had scored first at the Abbey Stadium through Mads Andersen. But an equaliser by Glenn McConnell and a brace by Elias Kachunga turned the game on its head, winning the day for the League 2 side.

The result means Luton slide to defeat in the second of their EFL Trophy assignments, with the Hatters’ hopes of qualification for the knockout stages now resting on their home match in late October against the Brighton academy side.

Luton arrived in Cambridge under the charge of interim boss and former player Alex Lawless, who was put in post after the sacking of Bloomfield earlier this week. The Hatters confirmed they are seeking the appointment of a new permanent boss, who would be their third full manager of 2025 when they are appointed.

Lawless opted to make six changes from defeat at Stevenage in their previous match, and after starting brightly, they took the lead in the 15th minute. Jordan Clark’s corner was flicked on Nigel Longwijk, and Andersen tapped the ball over the line.

But after both sides created and spurned numerous opportunities, it was Cambridge who equalised with 33 minutes on the clock, as McConnell curled a strike beyond Luton keeper James Shea.

Cambridge then took the lead within a minute of the restart, as Kachunga converted from Ben Purrington’s pass.

Most of the best opportunities for a third fell for Cambridge, who created and missed several chances before grabbing their third with 10 minutes of the 90 to go. Kachunga ran into space after Luton failed to clear the lines, and the German duly lobbed a strike home to make it 3-1.

Luton will be back in action on October 18th as they welcome Mansfield Town to Kenilworth Road, with the Hatters’ final EFL Trophy group stage game coming against the Brighton U21s in October 28th.

A late strike by Kamarai Swyer was the difference as Northampton Town beat Walsall 1-0 in the EFL Trophy.

Swyer’s 88th minute goal was the only one of a tight clash between the Saddlers and the Cobblers at the Bescot Stadium, in a result that means Northampton have won 2 out of 2 in the competition.

Victory in the West Midlands puts Kevin Nolan’s side top of their table after 2 games, putting them in pole position to qualify for the knockout stages. The Cobblers conclude their group stage with a home game against Shrewsbury in mid-November.

Having beaten the Chelsea U21s in their tournament opener last month, Northampton looked to build on it against a Walsall side currently sat top of League Two.

Swyer’s strike was the only one of the contest, with the summer signing scoring his second in as many EFL Trophy appearances when he curled a fine strike past Walsall keeper Sam Hornby.

Northampton will seek to maintain a period of positive results in their next outing, when they welcome Rotherham United to Sixfields on Saturday.

MK Dons were beaten 1-0 by Reading in the EFL Trophy after they were beaten by a late goal in Berkshire.

Sean Patton scored the only goal of the game in the 88th minute at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, which handed victory to the Royals.

Defeat means the Dons are all-but guaranteed a group stage exit from the competition, which would be mathematically confirmed if West Ham U21s get a result against Swindon Town in their meeting on October 28th.

Both sides heavily rotated for the game, with Reading make 10 changes and Paul Warne opting to rest all 11 players who began their weekend win over Gillingham at Stadium MK.

The only goal of the contest came in the 88th minute, as a free-kick was headed across goal above goalkeeper Connal Trueman, who had come out in an unsuccessful attempt to intercept, and the ball fell for Patton to glance home.

MK Dons will be back in league action on Saturday, as they make the trip to play Bristol Rovers. Their final EFL Trophy group stage assignment is due to be held on November 11th.