AN innovative new dyslexia centre has opened on the seafront at St Annes -- and it's all the work of two unique Fylde Coast charities.
St Annes-based charity Dyslexia North West, which includes the Red Rose School for Dyslexic Children, opened its new premises on North Promenade last Wednesday (July 4).
And work on the newly-refurbished building -- which was formerly the Sandridge Nursing Home -- was completed by a building co-operative set up by Blackpool charity Helping Hand.
Helping Hand, which helps socially excluded people -- such as those with drug and alcohol dependencies to get back on their feet -- set up workers co-operatives with support from the Single Regeneration Budget to allow their clients to gain skills and build self-esteem.
The refurbishment of the Red Rose School was the first contract to be awarded to Helping Hand.
Tony Green, Helping Hand project development manager, said that he was thrilled with the successful renovation of the school, which caters for dyslexic children between the ages of six and 16.
"The classroom is absolutely unique. Each child has its own individual work area because they need absolute concentration. The whole thing has been designed by psychologists to cater for the children's needs," he said.
He added that it had been a big boost for members of the Helping Hand building co-operative. "These are people who are usually socially excluded, who find it almost impossible to find employment. At the moment we have taken on four to six people and are in the throes of taking more on.
"We take people on through the employment services and they come and work with us. We help them with accommodation or to deal with any type of problem they may have," he said.
Helping Hand director David Linington, together with some of those being helped by the charity, presented a plaque to pupils of the Red Rose School to mark the completion of the major refurbishments during the open day.
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