A CHARITY that provides vital support for adults with learning disabilities and helps them "explore their creativity" is pleading for help to try and save their centre.

Vibe Southend, based at 171 Stornoway Road, is desperately appealing for help to raise £40,000 so it can purchase the base and ensure members are not left without a place to go.

The charity prides itself on being a "safe, welcoming and friendly environment where people can come together to socialise, have fun and build friendships".

Andrea Turvey, manager at the centre, said the team had put a lot of effort into building up the centre and were left “disheartened” after their landlord confirmed their intention to sell the property.

She said the centre are looking to pull together around £60,000 for a deposit to purchase the building, and have started a GoFundMe page with a goal of £40,000 to help towards this.

“We obviously would like to remain here, to move would be a major upheaval for us all," she said.

“Our members don’t like change, so a significant change like that would be really hard for them to deal with.

“We’re trying to raise money for a deposit for a mortgage on it, we didn’t ask for the full amount we need, we’ve gone for £40,000 to try and hopefully get something going. That would be fantastic."

She also said the centre’s members have been informed of the circumstances and are also working towards raising money for the campaign.

Ms Turvey added any donations are “very appreciated” and would mean so much to the centre’s members and staff.

She said: “You would be making a significant difference to the lives of our members.

“This is a place they come for a bit of respite, fun, laughter. They would be very lost without coming here.

“It would mean the world to them, really.”

The building was taken over by director Rita Bell in 2020 and has been run as a centre for adults with disabilities since.

Visit gofundme.com/f/we-need-your-help-to-save-our-day-centre.