Service that looks after disabled children could open in Droitwich (From Droitwich Advertiser)
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Service that looks after disabled children could open in Droitwich
8:50am Friday 4th January 2013 in News
Jean Wilson wants to launch a new group to help disabled youngsters in Droitwich.
A VITAL service that looks after disabled children could be launched in Droitwich Spa thanks to the help of kind children from a county choir.
Youngsters from Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society (WODYS) have pledged to raise funds so that New Hope can open a service in Droitwich Spa.
New Hope was started in Worcester by Jean Wilson when she couldn’t find suitable daytime respite care for her disabled daughter Emily.
The group now supports around 50 families, many travelling from Stratford upon Avon, Malvern, Evesham, Bromsgrove and Halesowen to use the service.
Mrs Wilson and her helpers now want to expand and open a similar facility in Droitwich Spa.
Her cause has been taken up by youngsters at the theatre group because one of its members has a disabled brother.
The group, which is made up of about 60 children aged between eight and 18, will be raising money for the organisation as it stages the musical Copacabana.
WODYS uses its annual musical to make money for a local charity, primarily for children. Proceeds of its show raffles have exceeded more than £21,000 over the years and gone to help organisations such as Acorns Children’s Hospice and Fort Royal Community Primary School.
New Hope, based in Wells Road, Worcester, opens every school holiday and every Saturday throughout the year. Last summer volunteers took the children to Legoland, swimming, bowling and horse riding. There is also have a multi-sensory room which will be upgraded with the money raised by WODYS members.
Mrs Wilson said: “We have identified Droitwich as we know many families live there who cannot for various reasons get to Worcester to receive the service. In addition we are planning to open in Droitwich on a Sunday, which means parents could use the service both days at the weekends if they choose, in Worcester and Droitwich. Also, we want to establish the first special needs youth group one evening a week as this is a huge gap in provision in the Wychavon area.”
