A CHARITY that supports physically disabled adults in South Gloucestershire is set for expansion as it enters its fourth decade.
Paul’s Place, which was launched in 1995, is about to move into a new base, where it will create an accessible and inclusive hub where people with disabilities can live life to the full.
Building work on the new centre, at the former Shire Way community centre in Yate, is almost finished, thanks to grant funding and anonymous legacy gifts, but more money is needed to equip and furnish it before the charity can move from its rented accommodation at Coalpit Heath Cricket Club.
Chief executive Lynda Williams said: “The new space will be fantastic, not having to clear up and pack away every night. We’ll have individual rooms for specific activities. We’re going to have a sensory room. We’ll have our own physio and gym room, a dedicated music, therapy and arts and crafts room, the outdoor space is just phenomenal.
“We desperately need donations, for example, we need accessible machines for the gym, and donations for other specialised equipment. We’re starting from scratch with the sensory room as we’ve never had a sensory room before.”
Head of fundraising and communications, Kayley Waller, added: “We’ve been a charity for thirty years this year, and we’ve never owned our own space, we’ve always rented spaces, outgrown those, moved to the next. Paul’s Place Hub will be our own space. We have complete control over making it as accessible as physically possible. It will be amazing”.
Support worker, Darrin Scott, commented: “Our new base will simply make life easier.”
Paul’s Place member, Ben Holbrook, said the move would also give Paul’s Place the chance to give back by running a community café and growing food.
“The community can meet us and see for themselves what we’re about. They’ll notice we’re not scary or different from them. We breathe the same air and despite our struggles we carry on. It opens a window of opportunities for the community in Shire Way to get to know and include us. We have the plans in place, but we need your support to make it happen.”
The new premises will have rooms dedicated to music and radio. Paul’s Place member, Paul Neath, has a passion for music and would love to share this passion on theradio.
The Voice recently donated £50 to equip the Music Room. You can make your through the charity’s 30 for 30 challenge. For more information, visit: https://www.paulsplace.org.uk/30for30/ Or to donate, visit: https://www.paulsplace.org.uk/hub/