THE Secretary of State for Education joined Hampshire county and East Hampshire district councillors at the Kingsley Centre to learn more about the Kingsley Organisation, which gives disabled adults opportunities for personal development, education and training at the centre.

Representatives from the organisation, a charity, illustrated the vital and creative services provided at the centre and throughout East Hampshire.

Established in 1987, the Kingsley Organisation helps disabled people to pursue their ambitions by valuing each person as an individual. It achieves this through providing personal development and training with, and for, disabled people, and delivering services to the community in an inclusive environment.

After his visit on September 1, Damian Hinds said: “The work done by the Kingsley Organisation is extraordinary, and makes such an important contribution to the lives of people with disabilities here in East Hampshire as well as the local community.

“I hope local people are inspired to support the centre through the offer of their expertise and time, and that local businesses can see the great benefit of offering placements.”

The services at the Kingsley Centre include a post office, a village shop, a cafe, affordable room hire and the LINC information advice and support service. Community activities include coffee mornings, community lunches, workshops and a parent-carer support group.

The centre hosts ballroom dancing, pilates, drumming sessions and other community group activities, and is the home of a Montessori nursery, the Oakhanger Angling Club and the parish council.

During her presentation, Helen Dayson, chief executive officer, stressed the value of small charities contributing to the wellbeing of communities.

The Kingsley Organisation benefits from the contribution of nearly 50 volunteers, without whom much of its charitable work would not be possible, she said. The charity, she continued, also had dedicated and skilled staff who often did more than their job descriptions to ensure a high quality of service.

She said there were always opportunities for volunteering, which could include being a trustee, supporting the post office, helping at community lunches or lending a hand in the shop. Businesses could help the charity by providing work-experience placements for those on the supported-volunteering programme. This could, for some, become a pathway to employment.