A MUCH loved Southminster care centre is set to complete its move to a new facility in Asheldham.

Knightswood Day Centre are just three weeks from completing setting up shop in a new custom fitted day centre in Hall Farm Road, Asheldham.

The centre is run and managed by the Dengie Project Trust, and provides support to elderly people from across the Dengie.

Trustee Ken Thompson, explained the reason behind the move: “We provide day care to those that are elderly and vulnerable, who have not only physical and mental disabilities, but for those that are just very lonely, in order that they all may continue to benefit living in their homes.

“This very important decision to move was purely to allow us to continue with this very valuable service to the local community in a sustainable and economic way.

“It was a consideration that if we did not move, the cost of operating out of our current base in Steeple Road, Southminster, would go up and up and up. It probably costs upwards of £10,000 a year to keep it running.”

With the opening of the new centre, the organisation has a chance to continue operating at a much lower cost in a purpose built facility that can be open 365 days a year.

The bulk of the building is now complete, with just a few finishing touches to add before it officially opens on Monday, July 17.

The charity has set up a justgiving page to help raise funds to furnish the new centre.

Trustee Steve Sibley said: “As a charity we receive no formal funding and rely heavily on a number of clients attending the day centre as well as individual donations from time to time.

“As trustees we would like to ask the community to help support us in any way possible in this amazing project to provide day care to all residents that require day-to-day support in the local area.”

A spokesman for Knightswood added: “We really appreciate how the community has responded to our pleas for help and financial support. Both of which has been received from many of the wonderful organisations, businesses and individuals who have shown they really do understand what we have been trying to achieve.

“Thanks to them, we are now in a position where we can carry on striving to keep the Day care Centre open for all those who very much need the service in the Dengie and surrounding district.”

To donate to the page, visit justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/dengieproject-trust/newbuildequipment