A DAY centre that avoided closure has officially celebrated its anniversary.
The Freedom Day Centre in Evesham enjoyed its sixth anniversary after it was threatened with closure last year when the building it was renting went up for sale.
The day centre for adults with learning disabilities had to raise a whopping £100,000 for its new venue on Shinehill Lane.
The day centre held a toe-tapping disco to celebrate the milestone and the Evesham Vale Running Club donated a £2,500 cheque to go towards a brand-new mezzanine floor.
READ MORE: Appeal after plants and trees stolen across Pershore
Manager and founder Tracey Hemming said: "It was amazing to be in our building and future as strong as it can be."
"When I sit with someone and discuss it, I am like, wow, we have done so much.
"I started with no qualifications, and it has really shown that you can achieve what you want to achieve.
"We are lucky with what we have got and always have been so supported.
"We want people to see us as they will walk away happy, the team have such confidence, and they breed happiness."
READ MORE: Dates reveal when Evesham Leisure Centre will be closing its pool
The centre is now looking to raise £99,000 towards its mezzanine floor to help increase capacity.
Mrs Hemmings added future projects for the day centre would include raising money for a 'Freedom House' to provide respite for carers.
Looking back at the group's six years, Mrs Hemming added: "It has taken all my life, I don't get paid as it is my passion.
"The real strain was Covid as when that came along, we were only three years old, and it could have made or broken us."
She said the council had swooped in to rescue the centre since it had been going from strength to strength.
Around 25 adults with disabilities from across the region attend the centre every day to socialise and take part in educational and therapeutic activities.
The group is currently at capacity but will be looking to expand.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel