MORE than 50 different community

groups use the Ryefield Centre and

hundreds of local people are welcomed

through its doors every week. There

could be even more in the future now

the centre is home to both adult social

care and children's services teams.

The Ryfield Centre Users Group,

WRVS, EnviroAbility and the CAB are

just some of the groups which use the

Ryefield Centre which is also home to

the Children's Centre.

Robin Symonds of Ross Live has

obtained funding to set up a singing

group which hopes to put on their first

show soon. Emma Madeley-Steed has

set up a new group called Re-craft

which aims to reuse textiles.

The Autumn Circle Group and the

Bath Club are both popular and regular

users of the centre.

The adult and children's sections are

managed separately but work well

together. Carl Rees, one of the joint

managers of the centre is delighted

about the work that is going on there.

He said: "We have listened to the people

who use the Centre and we will do

our best to provide what they want. We

are facilitators."

Carl started as a Care Assistant at the

Ryefield Centre when it opened in 1993

and is looking forward to the Re-opening

day in May.

He told the Ross Gazette: "This

increases the range of opportunities we

are able to offer people with a learning

disability which comes as a response to

an independent consultation carried out

among users of the Ryefield Centre last

year."

"I'm absolutely delighted that the

Children's Centre is continuing to

expand under our roof as it will add a

new and exciting dimension to the

activities on offer at Ryefields, it also

helps to keep the opportunities we offer

fresh and valued as we develop our

working partnerships," he added.

Users of the Ryfield Centre have

been advised that in the coming weeks

there will be a number of changes to

accommodate the growth of the Children's

Centre.

"This gives us the opportunity to

improve the facilities we already have

and to ensure the rooms are fit for purpose,"

said Tim Jones, joint manager at

Ryefields.

"There may be a bit of disruption for

a few weeks, but we're sure it'll be

worth it when the various groups settle

back down and enjoy the new and

enhanced facilities at the centre," he

added.

The work is expected to start in

March and be finished by May. One of

the additional facilities will be a woodworking

room which will be used by

current users but will also be available

to hire for other groups.

Rooms which have been upgraded

will be available for bookings and they

will have facilities for teas and coffees.

Security, including CCTV is going to

be upgraded.

Cllr Olwyn Barnet, the Council's

cabinet member for adult social care,

said: "You can't under-estimate the

importance the Ryefield Centre plays in

the lives of hundreds of people in Rosson-

Wye. It's more than just a day centre;

to many it's a lifeline and a way of

life.

"I'm really pleased that we're able to

expand the range of top quality services

we provide there and look forward to

paying a visit to both the children's centre

as well as exploring the new opportunities

on offer for people with learning

difficulties."