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Assistance to the elderly continues with support to the Marjorie Richardson Centre

MARJORIE RICHARDSON CENTRE Woking Council’s Conservative Executive is committed to providing support for the elderly in Woking and as a part of this have approved a total grant of £15,000 for the coming year to the Marjorie Richardson Centre which enables it to remain open.

The support that Woking Borough Council provides to the elderly is through various facilities across of the borough, of which the Marjorie Richardson Centre in Woking High Street is just one, and we wish to retain this unique facility for older people in the town. The Centre, which was formed in 1986 as a coffee shop and drop-in centre for people aged over 50, has recently seen a reduction in client numbers while costs have continued to rise. Sadly in spite of the annual funding by the Council and the rent-free and rate free accommodation that is also provided the Centre was in danger of having to close. So working with the Council the Marjorie Richardson Centre prepared a business plan which outlined various measures to reduce costs and increase the number of clients. As a result, the Executive agreed to continue to provide the free accommodation and maintain its grant at a total of £15,000.

 Councillor John Kingsbury, Leader of the Executive, said

‘I am pleased we have been able to offer a reprieve to the Marjorie Richardson Centre.   I look forward to the management promoting and advertising the Centre in doctor’s surgeries, W.I. groups and other venues around the town to encourage more clients to visit.  We also hope the Centre can attract other clubs and groups to use the facilities out-of-hours to increase revenue in future. I am grateful for the work done by Councillor Melanie Whitehand, Portfolio Holder for Independent Living, in helping to facilitate this decision.  Councillor Whitehand will pursue the establishment of a bus drop-off point outside the Centre to improve access by car or Bustler.’

9th September 2009