New service to benefit disabled

A state-of-the-art building for disabled people is set to replace an ageing day centre in South Tyneside.

The John Wright Centre in South Shields has provided asistance to disabled people for more than 37 years.

However, a review by South Tyneside Council identified the need for more modern and meaningful services.

Over the next 18 months the centre will be replaced with a building designed to meet the changing needs of the people who use it.

A board of trustees with expertise in accountancy, legal issues, education or disability, will secure and manage funding, and oversee day-to-day running.

The council has gone into partnership with Groundworks, a charity specialising in environmental regeneration, and is hoping to secure over £2.5 million of investment for the project.

A television documentary is also planned to follow the process from design through to fruition.