North Shropshire MP Helen Morgan and her colleague Mary Davies met with representatives from Bethphage at Our Space Community Centre and Library in Ellesmere. Our Chair of Trustees, Derek Lum, Trustee Ruth Houghton, CEO, Stef Kay and Our Space Manager, Rachel Davies were also accompanied by Ellesmere Mayor, Anne Wignall who was there to highlight the community food share service that is operated from Our Space.

Helen was keen to hear about the different work being undertaken at Our Space as well as discuss the challenges facing the sector. She was interested to understand how much of the local authorities’ budgets are spent on learning disability and autism and learn about the difficulties in recruiting new staff, resulting in needing to recruit people who need a work visa.

Rachel gave Helen a tour of the building, and introduced her to people whilst explaining the range of person centered services provided at Our Space including:

• A daily group for people with learning disabilities, autism where they can build social connections and learn new skills.
• Friendship Group for older people – where Helen got to observe a singing session.
• Robust support for people with dementia including a Memory café
• Ellesmere Library – a very important part of the community, that hosts regular events and groups.
• Games, arts and crafts – where Bethphage have recently secured funding from Basil Houghton to set up a social enterprise group creating and selling products in Ellesmere and surrounding areas
• Day trips out in the community and further afield to places of cultural significance
• Various drop ins for members of the public including domestic abuse led Women’s Aid

More information about groups and events happening at Our Space  can be found on their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OurSpaceEllesmere

Helen Morgan MP said:

“It was a real privilege to visit Our Space in Ellesmere and learn more about the vital work they do for the local community. The team work incredibly hard to create a lovely environment in which people can access the support they need in a safe community environment, particularly for adults with learning disabilities, autism and older people.”