The Pioneering Care Centre was filled with good spirits as Options members, friends and family, staff and volunteers gathered to celebrate the project’s 20th birthday.
Options supports adults with learning and physical disabilities and over the past 20 years has grown; it now operates over 5 days a week providing 68 day places and an evening social club caters for up to 50 people.
To mark the occasion a fulfilled afternoon of celebrations was enjoyed with those present including local MP Phil Wilson and councillor Mary Dalton, mayor of Great Aycliffe.
Phil and Mary listened intently as the members explained with pride their personal journey of learning new skills, becoming more independent, increasing confidence and importantly making lifelong friends.
No occasion is complete without a cake and longstanding member Keith Dolphin was only too happy to cut the birthday cake along with the mayor.
PCP chief executive Carol Gaskarth said: “Seeing each of the members speak from the heart about what Options means to them and hearing their stories was very special.
“The Options project fundamentally provides support and a safe environment to help members to decide what they want to do, and the staff and volunteer team do an amazing job facilitating this.
“Everyone who has been involved in the project over the past 20 years should be very proud of their contribution, I cannot thank them enough.”
If you would like to find out more about the work of Options please contact the project co-ordinator Linda West: [email protected]