STAR of stage and screen David Bradley will be the guest of honour when the new look Where Next? centre at Spernall in Studley is officially opened.
David, perhaps best known for playing the horrible caretaker Filch in the Harry Potter movies, will be cutting the tape but Where Next? staff know it’s the wider community that has helped see their dream come to fruition at the site.
Business manager Jo Wood said they’d travelled a long way since they moved into the Alcester Road site in 2009.
“From small beginnings we have made a quantum leap in facilities and the opportunities we can offer people with learning difficulties,” she said.
Thanks to donations of time, money and goods plus considerable investment from their landlord and Where Next? the centre has gone from having an unheated greenhouse with only a kettle for making tea to having a purpose built shop, a state-of-the-art kitchen, disabled toilet facilities and heating in both buildings.
“For instance with our edible garden project we were lucky enough to get support from Tesco’s Bags of Help and we have been able to transform a patch of ground to having a polytunnel, they’ll be putting in raised beds and we’ll be able to grow our own fruit and veg which will be used in our kitchen,” said Jo.
As a result it is hoped they’ll be able to offer a hot meal to their clients.
“The changes are thee for everyone to see and we are just so delighted and the help and support we have received is wonderful,” added Jo.
It’s all happening next Saturday (April 22) with Stratford-based David, who has also starred in TV hits like Broadchurch and Game of Thrones there between 2pm and 3pm.
Jo added: “We’re just asking people to come on down and see our wonderful new shop and just take a look.”
Where Next? is a local charity offering quality day services for people with special needs.
