We are Back – help us build a bright future!

After a long and difficult six months, Grove Cottage has finally been able to resume some of its services to provide essential social and educational opportunities for people of all ages with learning disabilities, as well as providing important respite for their families.

On Monday 7^th September, Grove Cottage re-opened its Special Needs Nursery which operates from 9am – 3pm, every Monday – Friday, during term time. The Nursery offers a fully inclusive educational and care setting for children with special educational and complex medical needs.

From 12^th September, Saturday Clubs for children and young people will resume and our Performing Arts, Grove Cottage Cafe@Thirst and Get Active clubs will start later this month. These clubs will be in bubbles and members will be offered alternative weeks. Unfortunately, we are currently unable to reintroduce our weekly Youth Club or Adult Clubs but we are continually reviewing the situation.

Kevin Davis, Chair of Trustees said, “We are delighted to be able to re-open some of our services. We have conducted thorough risk assessments and have closely followed government guidance to ensure that our services will be safe for both our members and our staff and several new processes have been put in place including staff wearing PPE, social distancing and limiting the numbers we can have at each club.

“However, resuming our services has come at a cost with the additional expense of PPE, having to install new sinks for handwashing, as well as the purchase of a new washing machine. To operate our Special Needs Nursery alone costs over £2,000 per week.

“We are therefore looking for the continued support of the local community to help assist with these costs to ensure that we can build a bright future for Grove Cottage. To make a donation please click here https://www.mencapgrovecottage.org/get-involved/make-a-donation/. “