New role for former Keynsham pre-school

THE former Queens Road Methodist Church Pre-School is to become the new base for Keynsham and District Mencap Society.

The pre-school closed at the end of term in July last year because falling numbers meant it was no longer viable.

Keynsham Methodist Church trustees made the decision with much reluctance as the pre-school had served the local community for over 50 years, with three generations of some families having passed through its doors.

The closure left most of the premises unused during the day, and the membership were determined to ensure they continued to serve the community.

So the trustees are delighted to announce a new partnership with Mencap to use the premises.

The church and Mencap have had an ongoing history for a number of years, with Mencap’s Music Man Sessions taking place there on a Saturday.

As this project grew, it acquired more instruments that needed storage space which, with the pre-school on site, the church did not have.

Now the pre-school’s closure will enable Mencap to base its Keynsham office at the former pre-school, as well as storing their equipment and developing their community projects.

Laura Jefferies, operations manager at Keynsham and District Mencap Society, said: “We are delighted to be working with Keynsham Methodist Church to create a new space for Mencap at Queens Road.

“Firstly, it means that all of our members are able to visit the office independently, as previously we were on the second floor.

“We are also delighted to be able to move some of our clubs and activities to a new central space.

“We run 10 groups in total across various church halls and community spaces, which include youth club, adult social groups, sports and music sessions.

“Having some of these in one space under one roof means we are able to share resources, which will help us to keep our costs down.

“We are thankful to everyone at the Methodist church for all they have done to get this space ready for us and for being so welcoming”.

Methodist minister the Revd John Hayes said: “This opportunity to work closely with Mencap is a special moment for both our organisations as we share so many similar values, not least in our desire to support our local community.

“We are looking forward to a developing relationship where we can both learn and grow together.”