A COMMUNITY organisation is consulting on the idea of creating a brand new day centre for vulnerable adults in the Cam and Dursley area.

Local people are to be given the opportunity to contribute ideas for new activities and social groups that could be provided in the building which was the Glebe Day Centre.

The building in Fairmead, Cam, was a facility for elderly people with dementia but was closed by Gloucestershire County Council last month under its budget cuts programme.

The building adjoins the GL11 Community Project, an organisation which has for many years been running voluntary-aided courses, workshops and drop-in groups.

Project manager of GL11 Ann Wheeler saw the empty building as an excellent opportunity for them to extend their services and offer more help to vulnerable people.

GL11 is planning a range of new services in the building offering support, primarily for adults with learning disabilities and early memory loss, as well as their carers.

The plans follow the announcement earlier in the year that the Dursley Training Unit, for adults with learning difficulties, would close.

However Mrs Wheeler, talking exclusively to the Gazette, stressed that the new day centre would not be a replacement to the DTU, instead it would cater for a range of vulnerable people, whilst welcoming former DTU members if they wished.

"Glebe House, as a building, has played an important part in supporting members of the community for many years," said Mrs Wheeler.

"Through working with the community GL11 is now doing its utmost to make sure that a range of community services continue from the entire building.

"The new services won’t be full day care, but are more likely to be sessional where vulnerable people can get together, socialise, make new friends and integrate."

Cllr Dennis Andrewartha, ward councillor for Cam, said he felt GL11 was the perfect organisation to take on the job.

"I think this is an absolutely fantastic opportunity for our community. It is the most exciting project going on in the county."

The building is already kitted out with disabled access, toilets and kitchen facilities as well as a range of different rooms and requires no renovation.

An open day will be held on Wednesday, July 20 from 2pm to 7pm where people are invited to have a look around the premises and find out more. Dave Butterfield, chairman of GL11 Trustees, said: "This is a good opportunity for people to get involved with their local community project and let us know what they would most like to see here to support vulnerable people."

For further information contact GL11 Community Project, on 01453 548530 or e-mail office@gl11.org.uk