A local association which has funded a number of extra facilities for adults with learning disabilities using Carrswood Day Service in Bath has been wound up.
Carrswood Association was formed by parents and friends in the 1980s and held many fundraising events as well as meeting regularly with the centre’s management team.
With fewer people getting involved with the Association it was decided to close as a formal group.
The assets held by the Association are now invested within the Sirona Foundation, a registered charity.
The Foundation is linked to Sirona care & health, a not-for-profit social enterprise providing specialist community health and social care across Bath and North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire and surrounding areas.
This money is ring fenced for the sole use of Carrswood staff and its users.
Chris Payne, association chairman, presented the monies to Julie Sharma, Foundation Trustee, at a special tea party at Carrswood Day Centre in Twerton.
Chris and his wife Jenny have used the day centre with their daughter, Michelle, for many years.
He says: “The Association was for everybody who used Carrswood – as well as organising events we were a forum for parents to ask questions and find out more about services available for their children.
“Our biggest purchases have been two minibuses which, thanks to the Sirona Foundation, will be staying with Carrswood.”
The Association also agreed to make a donation to Bath Senior Gateway Club from its remaining assets.
Craig Adams, Carrswood operations manager, said: “The association raised funds for us; they organised social events for us and not only did they raise money but they came along and did the washing up and the cooking and we have not had to pay a penny. They have been marvellous.”
Current users of the service designed and made a thank you banner for the team as well as presenting flowers.
Chris said: “We are extremely grateful for the celebration and I want to pay thanks to all those people who have over the past 30 years have been involved with the Carrswood Association Committee.
“There are too many to mention, but it was thanks to these dedicated people that the Association ran for so long, and the celebration was also in recognition of these people, we just happened to be the last ones standing.”
