A DAY centre for disabled adults, which was saved from closure by Journal readers, has nearly doubled in capacity after a major refurbishment.

The Freedom Day Centre in South Littleton, near Evesham, which faced closure as recently as two years ago, underwent £99,000 worth of renovations.

The new developments, including a cafe with a new kitchen, a sensory room extension, a woodwork room and a remodelled garden, were made possible by a fundraising drive at the centre.

 

 

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In 2022 the centre faced imminent closure unless it could raise £100,000 by the end of the year to save the premises.

The centre's founder, Tracey Hemming, thanked the public for their generosity and the Evesham Journal for highlighting its plight.

She said: "We have come from the brink of being homeless two years ago to now celebrating a major refurbishment of the Freedom Day Centre.

"This has only been possible due to the tireless fundraising of our staff, the Evesham Journal for highlighting our plight and the generosity of the people of Worcestershire who have supported us.

"We were also very lucky to have found a builder, Darren Grosvenor, who cared about the people he was working for and gave so much of his and his team's time."

Recalling the facility's uncertain days, Ms Hemming said: "It was an extremely vulnerable time for us and I feared we would have to fold."

"It was only a chance phone call that I found out the Quakers building in South Littleton was up for sale for £100,000.

"When I visited I knew straight away that this was the place for us."

The charity made the move into the building on a rental basis in 2022, having been pledged £50,000 from the Hilda Farr Charitable Trust in Bretforton towards buying the facility.

However, the condition attached was that the charity match the funds by the end of the year.

Ms Hemming said: "This was a huge opportunity for us to secure our forever home but it really felt like a race against the clock.

"To have won that battle and to now be where we are feels like a small miracle."

The facility serves adults aged 18 to 73.

On Friday (May 24) Nigel Huddleston, MP for Mid Worcestershire, will open the renovated facility at a special event held from 11am.