Having spent the past year watching the new buildings at our Barham skills centre rising out of the ground, students could barely contain their excitement when they got to move in to two of them this week.

Lucy’s Media Suite – named in memory of one of our students, who sadly died in 2020 – and the Art Studio were quickly transformed from empty shells to busy classrooms. Staff and students swapped the cramped conditions of 30-year-old huts for the spacious, light and airy new buildings to enjoy their art, craft, media and print sessions.

Work continues on the largest building in the £1.6 million redevelopment, the Bradbury Hub, which will house a kitchen, large meeting area, exhibition space, sensory room, office and changing facilities. Fundraising is also ongoing, as we need to cover the cost of landscaping the grounds between the three buildings. We hope to plant sensory gardens and have an outside gym.

“This is a such a special milestone in our redevelopment journey,” said The Fifth Trust CEO Nikki Marley. “All the hard work of so many people over the past six years has been about giving our students excellent new facilities, and to see their delight has just been fantastic.

“As well as a being beautiful place for our current students and staff to work, the new skills centre will give us the space and accessibility to open up our day care services to more adults with learning disabilities. Our aim is to support 180 students every week, including those with profound physical conditions.”

Find out how you can support our fundraising campaign here.