Protecting Audlem's Day Care

We are almost there in protecting the Thornton House day care.

At an inaugural meeting on 9th December, 2010, a Community Trust was successfully formed to implement the local business plan to take over the running of the local day club for older people at Thornton House from April 2011.

At the meeting, Mike Crawshaw, Projects Officer, confirmed that Cheshire East councillors had warmly welcomed Audlem's business plan to take over the running of the day club. The proposals had been described as being 'absolutely brilliant' and were lauded as a flagship approach by local communities in Cheshire East.

The final step is for the Cheshire East's Cabinet to formally approve the proposals at their meeting on 20th December 2010 after which the contract could be awarded to ADCA to run the day club from April 2011.

It was agreed at the meeting to name the new Trust, Audlem & District Community Action (ADCA) given that the older people who attend the day club had asked for action to be taken to keep their day club open when it was threatened with closure by Age Concern Cheshire.

The overall aim of ADCA, which fits in well with the new Audlem Parish Plan objectives, has been agreed as being:

"To provide welfare support to vulnerable or socially isolated adults within Audlem and District so as to promote social inclusion, community participation and independence. The charity will be operated as a social enterprise by representatives of local interest groups."

The new committee is made up of representatives of Audlem Parish Council, local churches, volunteer helpers, carers, staff and members of the day club, the local GP practice patient group and community campaigners.

Following the public meeting held in November 2010, which gave full support to the establishment of a local Community Trust, a number of new prospective volunteers have come forward to assist in the work of the day club alongside the existing thirteen voluntary helpers.

The aim is to seek charitable status in the near future and also to consider opportunities to expand the provision of services. The new committee will also be looking at fundraising opportunities when it meets in the new year. Already various local businesses have offered to sponsor the day club and Audlem Parish Council has generously awarded a start up grant of £500.

More information on progress will be made available within the next month. Anyone interested in further information about ADCA or wanting to give support or sponsorship, please contact Roger Millns, Chairman, ADCA on 01270 811375 or email: roger.millns@lineone.net">roger.millns@lineone.net

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