As a charity, we are always in need of extra support for the work of the centre and the development of the skills of our members.
The centre and its members are truly grateful for every contribution, however small.
2012 is a special year for Centre 81, marking the 30th anniversary of its endeavours across the Great Yarmouth area to help improve the lives of people with physical and sensory disabilities.
But if anyone expects muted celebrations for a mature milestone, then they don’t really know the members, trustees and staff of Centre 81. Instead, the occasion is being used as a launchpad for a new era which embraces bigger and better facilities, a wider range of choices and more opportunities for members to build an even better future for themselves.
It was in the International Year of Disabled People 1981 that townspeople in Great Yarmouth gathered to create Centre 81, a registered charity providing an easily accessible social club.
Steady progress followed as the centre, nestling in a fleet of old riverside schoolrooms at the heart of the community, developed an increasing range of skills training and activities.
Rapid advances in recent years have been built around its fundamental philosophy of “ability not disability’.
Centre 81 is not a place to focus on disabilities – the emphasis switches immediately to each and every member’s abilities and how they can best be used to meet their aspirations.
Support is always there but the onus is on members to make their own decisions, use their initiative, develop their skills and chase their own dreams.
Running in tandem with the Centre is the charity’s door-to-door bus service, its fleet of minibuses serving around 650 people who cannot easily use public transport for shopping missions, visiting friends and relatives, attending clubs, getting to appointments and a variety of outings.
It is part of the general buzz which constantly surrounds Centre 81 and its 65 members.
Everything is underpinned by a qualified staff and management team, strong leadership from trustees and generous help of friends and fundraisers.
Enthusiastic volunteers fill a variety of roles from working one-to-one with members to washing-up, gardening or driving. Others may be able to share one-off special skills to help members with sailing, swimming, flower arranging or any one of dozens of other activities. It’s essential that volunteers too get satisfaction and fulfillment from what they do.
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