Boost for Kenilworth Centre after charity agrees to use it as base

The Kenilworth Centre has received a further boost after agreeing a licence for a nearby charity to use its premises as a base.
Pete Bazeley, manager of ILEAP, shaking hands with ohn Whitehouse, chair of trustees at the Kenilworth CentrePete Bazeley, manager of ILEAP, shaking hands with ohn Whitehouse, chair of trustees at the Kenilworth Centre
Pete Bazeley, manager of ILEAP, shaking hands with ohn Whitehouse, chair of trustees at the Kenilworth Centre

ILEAP, a Stratford-based charity which works with disabled children, young people and adults with additional needs, will use the ground floor room of the centre during weekdays in school term time.

The charity has previously used the centre for evening, weekend and school holiday activities, which will continue. It now plans to launch a new range of daytime activities for young adults, based on craft activities making gifts to take home and to sell at markets and events.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

John Whitehouse, chair of trustees at the Kenilworth Centre, said: “We’re delighted to be able to extend our existing partnership with ILEAP in this way. The income from the new licence agreement will be make an important contribution to our financial recovery plan following the loss of town council core funding.

“We also see future joint opportunities with ILEAP for partnership working, not only for our charity but also for some of our other user groups.”

Pete Bazeley, ILEAP manager, said: “We are really excited about this new initiative and partnership. We have been looking for a base in the heart of the local community for a while and the Kenilworth Centre fits the bill perfectly.

“We hope to provide some of the most vulnerable members of society with worthwhile and purposeful activities that will build their confidence and promote their independence.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Our plan is to offer opportunities for disabled people to get creative and have fun with friends in a safe and positive environment. Items we create at our new ‘Marketability’ sessions will be used for fundraising purposes at local markets that will raise our profile and provide exciting, volunteering opportunities for our members.”

The news follows the decision from Kenilworth Round Table, Lions and Rotary Club to give the centre £15,000 in 2016/17.