People First Forum, formally known as Poole Forum, received more than £6,000 from Talbot Village Trust, to help support with the costs to refit the charity’s new office.
The grant-giving charity, Talbot Village Trust, provided People First Forum with the funds required to make moderations to the new office space at Rossmore Leisure Centre, including new flooring, additional electrical wiring and installation of broadband.
People First Forum is a group run by, and for, people with learning disabilities across Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch. The charity has more than 900 members with learning disabilities and through the new location of the office space, can now offer people access to the leisure centre’s facilities, as well as the charity’s own services.
Emily Snelling, Co-Manager of People First Forum, said: “We are so thankful for the funding from Talbot Village Trust which has enabled us to create stronger, more sustainable support for our 900 members with learning disabilities. The new office space for our charity would not have been possible without their generous donation. It has given us the opportunity to continue to provide a vital safety net for vulnerable adults in their communities, at a time of reduced finance, service, change and uncertainty.”
Amanda Parsons, Co-Manager of People First Forum, added: “We strive for integration of people with learning disabilities in the community, and by being based at our new location, this has already started to happen with people dropping in regularly for advice and information.”
Russell Lucas-Rowe, Trustee of Talbot Village Trust, added: ‘‘It is truly heart-warming to hear that through the office move, People First Forum are already reaching new people and can offer them help with any advice that they may need.
“We could instantly see the positive impact that our grant had on the charity and are pleased to have been able to support them in this way.”
Talbot Village Trust meets biannually and is accepting applications for funding from both previous and new applicants in the area before the Trustees meet in autumn of this year. Please go to www.talbotvillagetrust.orgfor more information.