Charity appeals for funds to safeguard home centre

Chris Carrier and Jacs Guyton say the charity provides support for more than 150 people with learning disabilities

A charity that provides support to people with learning disabilities has appealed for help to raise more than £200,000 to secure the future use of its home site.

Lowestoft and District Mencap, in Suffolk, has launched the fundraising campaign to buy two buildings it already uses for a range of activities and support work.

It also plans to buy a third building in between the two current sites, which was recently operating as a barber shop.

The managers of the properties said the charity had until October 2025 to raise the funds, after which all the buildings would be put on the open market.

Lowestoft and District Mencap needs to raise more than £200,000 to buy the sites

The charity currently runs two community spaces: the Unity Centre, which was opened in 2011 as a charity shop and café and offers advice, befriending and hate crime support, and The Fort, a gaming hub, social and creative space, which was opened in 2019.

Jacs Guyton, the chairwoman of Lowestoft and District Mencap, said: "We have got so many plans for this site but the first hurdle is to be able to raise the money we need to buy the premises.

"If we don't buy it or at least set the wheels in motion by next October, the entire site will be put on the market and then the chances are it will be knocked down and made into houses and then we'll lose our home."

"We've been incredibly lucky to have had an amazing landlord, whose kindness and support has had a big impact on helping us survive the pandemic, the lockdowns and the cost-of-living crisis.

"Unfortunately he now needs to look into selling the property, but he has generously given us a year to raise the money."

The charity needs to raise £200,000 to buy the buildings and a further £20,000 to cover the administration and legal fees related to the purchase. So far more then £200 has been pledged using a fundraising website.

Ms Guyton added: "The Unity Centre hosts a variety of community and musical activities that have led to us taking part in performances at the London Palladium and the Royal Albert Hall.

"Not only would raising the money to buy the property help keep us safe for the long-term future, but it would also give us unlimited potential for things we can do to keep growing, to provide bigger and better things for the community."