Charity celebrates opening of new headquarters (From Oxford Mail)

Charity celebrates opening of new headquarters

6:00pm Saturday 5th January 2013 in Countywide

A CHARITY saved from closure by merging into one base in Oxfordshire has celebrated the opening of its new headquarters.

The ACE Centre, which helps children and adults with physical impairment and learning disabilities, also formally launched as a national charity during the event at Cassington.

Among the guests for the celebration last month were the Lord Lieutenant of Oxford, Tim Stevenson, the Sheriff of Oxford, Dee Sinclair, and the speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow MP.

Mr Bercow is a longstanding supporter and patron of the charity.

The ACE Centre was established as a national organisation in June when its centres in Oxford and Oldham joined together to save the Oxford centre from closure.

It relocated to Jericho Farm Barns, Cassington, in September to better accommodate the needs of children and adults with complex disabilities.

The dignitaries were given a tour of the new centre and were also able to meet children and adults who have benefitted from the ACE Centre’s work.

The charity provides independent professional advice, multidisciplinary assessments and training to enable access to appropriate technology.

Anna Reeves, manager of the ACE Centre, said: “The establishment of the ACE Centre as a national organisation and the opening of this facility build on the individual legacies of our Oxford and Oldham sites, and help ensure we can provide assistance to as many people as possible.”