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West Berkshire Therapy Centre in search of permanent home




Centre forced out of old premises

THE Thatcham-based West Berkshire Therapy Centre is still looking for a home of its own.

The centre has provided therapy and exercise for disabled people, using equipment that provides repeated movement gently and quietly, at Clerewater Place, off Lower Way Thatcham.

It also treats blind people and those with multiple sclerosis, Parkinsons and Dystonia.

The centre celebrated its first birthday in April this year but has been searching for a new home, owing to the landlord having permission to redevelop the building.

It has now set up a temporary home in The Moors Pavilion, owned by Thatcham Town Council.

Director at the centre, John Holt, said that the charity was having difficulty finding something that met its specification, while others looked promising but the rent was unaffordable.

Mr Holt said it was looking for a base central to Newbury and Thatcham and with good parking and disabled access.

He said that the Moors Pavilion could not accommodate all of the mobility equipment and Saturday session hours had been disrupted, as it shared the pavilion with sports teams.

Mr Holt said that the centre was seeing 200 people a week and was growing.

“We need that extra capacity to deal with the demand that there is,” he said.

“The search continues. Every week people are telling us there’s a new property on the market. We need to be aware of every property coming up.

“Our clients are very understanding and very appreciative of the services but we all know the building is too small and we are doing what we can to tackle that.”

The centre is one of three charities that looked to win a share of £100,000 through Greenham Common Trust’s Pitch to the Panel event, last night (Thursday).

It wants £31,645.00 to buy additional machines that help with assisted, repetitive movements.

Mr Holt said: “We think we have an excellent bid but we assume everyone else has an excellent bid too.

“We’re delighted to have the chance to take part.”



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