Official opening for multi - million pound Southwark Resource Centre
Published 22 February 2012
The Southwark Resource Centre which has been designed to help and support disabled people officially opened its doors to the public this week.
The £3.6 million centre located at 10 Bradenham Close in Walworth, will help up to 100 people access local services across the borough and ensure that they can live independently for as long as possible.
The centre's opening signals the regeneration of the Aylesbury Estate and replaces both the Aylesbury Day Centre, which was on a neighbouring site since 1975 and the outreach team for disabled adults in Southwark.
During the opening, guests were given a guided tour of the centre where they had the opportunity to speak to disabled people engaging in arts and crafts activities and participating in mobility classes.
The centre is surrounded by glass panels that have been designed to create an opening and welcoming effect for service users.
Several rooms in the centre can be partitioned or opened together to encourage flexible use of space for meetings, training and use by the local community.
It also has an assisted technology suite with telecare equipment to show disabled people how a 24 hour response centre will work to assist them in an emergency situation.
Other facilities include an IT suite which is set to receive visual impairment equipment soon.
Centre user Sean Smith, said: "Before I started coming to this centre, I had no confidence in my ability to perform basic tasks and live independently. Now my confidence has really grown and I'm able to travel by myself on public transport and I've become the Southwark Centre for Independent Living's newsletter editor."
A plaque marking the opening of the Southwark Resource Centre was unveiled by Councillor Peter John, Leader of the Council and Councillor Dora Dixon - Fyle, cabinet member for health and adult social care.
Councillor John, said: "This is a brilliant facility and I would like to thank the centre's staff for supporting local disabled people to explore their talents and reach their full potential. Southwark should feel proud that it is honouring its fairer future pledges by putting those most at need first."
Councillor Dixon - Fyle added:"The Southwark Resource Centre symbolises how we put the needs of disabled people at the heart of our policies. The centre has great design features, high tech equipment and a wonderful team of staff who are there to support service users and help them regain their independence."
