THERE was celebration for a local charitable L organisation this week after it received more than quarter of a million pounds in grant funding. It was announced on Tuesday that the Kingsley Organisation is to be awarded £260,000 National Lottery funding, which will be used for an extensive refurbishment programme for the Kingsley Centre. "It's really exciting news," explained Jane Kincaid, the centre manager. She added: "The centre is a lovely place and it has a really welcoming atmosphere, but it has become a bit tatty. "Now, with the fund, we can make it a really good place for people to come to in the future, so the money is going to make a real difference. "For the last five years, I have been working on getting some funding to provide new toilets, heating that works properly; just the basics really but things to make it a nicer, more attractive place for everybody. "We want to continue with the work we are doing here, which is providing a centre where people with disabilities can give something to the community, be involved with the community and develop their independence. This money is going to be such a major boost." The Kingsley Organisation is a community- based charity, working on behalf of disabled people and specialising in their personal development and continuing integration into society. As part of this, the centre also plays a pivotal role in the life of Kingsley itself and other nearby villages by providing much- needed social and commercial facilities for the local, domestic and business communities. Many of these facilities are run at the centre by the disabled people themselves. Welcoming the news of the grant, a delighted chairman of the trustees and the original founder of the centre, Judith Leslie-Smith, said: "This is fabulous news for the Kingsley Centre. "It will help to pay for building extensions and other necessary facilities. Most importantly, it will enable us to continue the work we do in support of local disabled people, who have come to depend on us." Projects which this grant will help fund include an extension to create a new entrance, a common room and improved toilet accommodation. These plans, which have already been approved by East Hampshire District Council, have been drawn up by local architect Ben MacDonald, who has been working enthusiastically alongside the management and staff of the centre. "The first phase will hopefully start in the summer and that will be modernising the toilets and heating and improving the building's accessibility. "Phase two, which is more pending, involves developing the area around the front, and an extension to the main hall, but we are not sure exactly when that will start," Miss Kincaid added. The grant is the culmination of two years' hard work by the dedicated in-house team. That team of staff, trustees, participants and supporters has also been energetic in developing many other sources of income. These include golf days, bridge afternoons, jumble sales, prize draws and the ever- growing "Brick Wall of Donations". Current fund-raising projects include Paul Roberts, a supporter of the centre, running in April's London Marathon when he hopes to raise many thousands of pounds through sponsorship. Rosemary Knight, a participant at the centre and the creator of the "Brick Wall of Donations", which has so far raised £1,600, is particularly delighted with the award. She said: "This grant will make an enormous difference to what we can achieve at the centre and everyone is really grateful." Jill Trout has been working behind the scenes organising fund-raising events for the centre and she was amazed by the Lottery windfall. "It's just unbelievable," she said. "Originally we asked for £500,000 but the Big Lottery grant limit is £300,000, so we filled out the forms we were supposed to fill in and they came back to us and asked what we would do with £260,000. We trimmed our ideas down a bit and now here we are. "It takes a lot of time and we have been raising money ourselves with various events. We are delighted with the amount we have been granted, but we do have to raise more money to enable us to carry out our intended plans," Mrs Trout explained. She told The Herald that the people who have been using the building have been very generous and were now going to reap the benefit from the refurbishment. The Kingsley Organisation began life as a small local project in an old village school in Kingsley. Focusing on personal development for people with disabilities while providing services to the local area via the development of a community centre, the centre soon established itself as a place where inclusivity and personal learning sit alongside each other. Since 1989, the Kingsley Organisation has undergone rapid expansion, setting up "Chainreaction" personal development groups in London and Reading, based on the model established at the centre. At the heart of these services is a core philosophy of personal growth and respect for all members of society. For more information about the centre and what it provides call 01420 479000, email [email protected]">[email protected] or visit the website on http://www.kingsleycentre">www.kingsleycentre. org.uk
