Disability Stockport officially opened the new Wellbeing Centre in partnership with Stockport’s Labour Council on Tuesday 2nd August, with Deputy Leader and Executive Councillor for Adult Social Care Wendy Wild in attendance.

The new hub, located at 23 High Street in Stockport Town Centre, will be a shared meeting place for groups supporting local disabled people and other residents in need of care or assistance from across the whole community.

Councillor Wild said ‘I’m delighted to have been able to attend the opening of Stockport’s new Wellbeing Centre today, which will provide a vital and well utilised space to meet for community groups supporting local people.

‘The delay in finding new premises since the well-used Sir Joseph Whitworth Centre closed in December 2015 has been extremely unfortunate, but under Labour the Council will always recognise the vital work done by our voluntary sector.

‘Labour understands and highly values the work done by community groups who provide support for residents from across the borough, and it’s great to be able to promote the new facilities which are being made available to them through this contract.’

The Wellbeing Centre contract commenced on Monday 1st August having been awarded to Disability Stockport in June 2016.

The two year contract with Stockport Council, which has an option for a further year, is to deliver wellbeing services and is worth £135,000. Also included is an extra capital investment of £25,000 to support the centre to deliver equipment and changes in line with the new offer.

Kieran McMahon, CEO at Stockport Disability, said ‘A wellbeing centre has existed in Stockport for many years, supported by committed groups and individuals at the Graylaw House venue.

‘This new contract arrangement offers a great opportunity to enable those groups to feel safe and be able to flourish and grow alongside other activities and new groups.

‘It also offers more Stockport residents the chance to find out about, and get involved with, activities which will benefit their wellbeing.’

Any voluntary and community groups previously using the Wellbeing Centre but who are not yet using the new Disability Stockport facilities are encouraged to contact the new centre and discuss their requirements.

Disability Stockport has been in local operation since 1979, for 37 years, focusing on promoting accessible support for wellbeing and independence.