This first part of this report is thanks to Colin who helps at Phab in Abingdon …
“The Charter Day Centre closed 2 weeks ago and after a send off meal people have been finding new homes. Staff said it was a wonderful place to work – if a bit small. Managers and Support workers have been distributed around the county, some to Wantage, and others to Wallingford, and the service users will now go to the Abbey Centre where there are new managers.
It also brought to an end the Auto Taxi connection… Throughout their school life (Teesdale School /Kingfisher School etc), the taxi company provided transport to outlying areas (Culham/Botley etc). They were with them before becoming Auto Taxi, some 20-25 years ago – as Howse Taxi or Hills Taxi possibly – so long ago people cannot remember. Alternate transport will be used for the Abbey Centre.”
The Country Market also had to find a new home, and from today can be found at The Salvation Army. They will be there on the second Saturday of the month from 10am to 12 noon.
It is a larger space, and so there is room for more stalls, and more refreshments.
What is going to be done with the Day Centre building ?
It was ideal in the centre of town. What is going to be done with the building?
Rumours are Mind may take it over,
The building has not been cleared ‘handed back’ yet.
The other Health and Welfare Centres were cleared and resources moved to Wantage/Wallingford and Abingdon. so appears to be last in the system.
Another rumour, being talked around centres in Didcot, that the space will be converted into Open Plan offices!!!. Not clear if OCC will use it, or lease it out…They were in such a hurry to move everyone over. It still sits not being used.