Special guests, service users, staff, volunteers, public officials, and other professionals come together to mark the milestone of Pennine Mencap’s major new addition.
Local charity Pennine Mencap hosted a celebratory lift opening at its centre in Oldham last Wednesday, welcoming the community to join them in marking this major milestone.
The lift is not only an important addition to the charity’s building but also represents growing inclusivity and allowing everyone in the community to have access to important services for adults with learning disabilities and autism.
This was the culmination of a 5-year construction project sponsored by the National Lottery Community Fund to open the building even further to those who need it. Allowing freedom of travel within Rhodes Bank Chambers, a large and complicated Victorian building that was donated to Pennine Mencap in 2015, has been a crucial target for a full decade. This project has granted access to people who have never had the opportunity to explore what the charity has to offer on its other floors.
Pennine Mencap is a charity that offers unique opportunities for local people in the community with learning disabilities and other needs. They strive for targets that support people’s independence and provide skilled and useful experiences.
“It means a lot to finally be able to join in all the activities, it’s a relief.” A quote from a long-time service user, Shona, highlights the importance it carries for a lot of people. Terry Snowden from Forever Manchester said, “The enthusiasm and unrelenting passion of everyone associated with Pennine Mencap is always such a pleasure to see.” These are testimonials that make a point of the experiences that have been evoked from the charity and what new opportunities it can now bring.
With a guest list including representatives from Forever Manchester, Action Together, Oldham Council, Tameside Council, and officials from other local organisations, this was a day of showcasing what the charity has to offer to those who need it most.
An a cappella performance of 'Caravan of Love’ by Pennine Mencap’s own Rhodes Bank Choir was enjoyed by the assembled guests, showcasing the inspirational opportunities offered in the building on a day-to-day basis. This marked the first time that the choir
had been able to join, including its members who use wheelchairs and other mobility aids, in the studio on the first floor of the centre. This was an emotional moment, especially for those who have waited years for this day to come.
The charity also held a Dancercise session, involving many different service users who had not before been able to take part due to the previous inaccessibility of the acquired building. These sessions shone a light on the achievement, representing inclusivity and putting thought into every decision that is made to move towards an equality-driven society.
All the guests enjoyed a variety of brand-themed buffet-style food accompanied by welcoming drinks and desserts. This occasion brought together many different services to collaborate and build connections to work in unison.
Guests had the opportunity to explore all floors of the building, uncovering features such as the well-equipped gym and drama studio. After five years of incredibly challenging work to get the lift built, at a cost of more than £300,000, it’s clear that every hour and every pound raised towards this project was entirely worth it.
Kerri Swindells, Funding Manager from the National Lottery, joined the charity for the occasion and cut the celebratory pink ribbon.
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From platform to promenade
