Closure of Devon disability support centre to affect more than 800 people
A centre in Devon which supports people with disabilities is set to close, affecting more than 800 adults and children who use the facility.
The Dame Hannah Roger's Trust has announced they will be closing their site in Newton Abbot because of high running costs.
The trust, which provides learning, care and support to children and adults with disabilities, moved into the Sealey-Hayne site in 2010 for more than three million pounds.
In the past eight years the charity has spent more than one million pounds on repairing and maintaining the site. They also built a Bistro café and health and wellbeing centre.
The charity said staff and volunteers have "worked tirelessly" over the past 18 months to try and make the Newton Abbot site financially viable, but the decision had to be made to sell the site.
Eric Hewes is one of the staff members who now faces losing his job when the centre closes.
The 28-year-old has cerebral palsy and has struggled with his mental health. Five years ago the trust gave him an opportunity to work for them, something he said has been life-changing.
Chair of Trustees at Dame Hannah Roger's Trust, Professor David Coslett, said:
The charity's Ivybridge site will remain open to continue supporting children and adults with physical and learning difficulties.