A NEW centre aimed at helping hundreds of people with learning difficulties is to open in Great Harwood.

Bosses at Highfield Domiciliary Care Services said the centre, in Queen Street, would provide relief for families struggling to cope.

Director Alan Wilkinson said The Base, as it will be called, would be open seven days a week for 12 hours a day.

Highfield has been operating an in-home carers service for the past 25 years in the Great Harwood and Rishton area.

But he said he wanted to create something ‘completely unique’ in Lancashire, which will lead activities outside the centre and also start two social enterprise projects staffed by adults with learning difficulties.

Some 12 new staff members will be taken on in the venture.

He said: “After 25 years of providing residential and domiciliary care we have often come across the struggle for adults with learning disabilities to access meaningful daytime activities.

“There is also a struggle for families to access daytime respite to suit all their needs; should it be for working patterns, appointments or other family commitments.

“The Base will be offering individually planned timetables, and will be available from 7am-7pm, seven days per week.”

He said that the site would just be used as meeting point for activities in the community.

He said: “My vision is to allow as much diverse community presence as possible each day; using local amenities, educational venues, voluntary and employment opportunities, sports and leisure facilities either mainstream or specialised.”

The former industrial building has been taken over by the company this week and could be open later this month.

He said two further enterprises are set to begin by the company.

The first will be a vintage clothing store run by the service users as a not-for-profit social enterprise and also an allotment project which will sell fresh grown produce, also not for profit.

The Base, which is funded by local health and council grants, will take local referrals and can accommodate up to 20 people per day.

For more information call 01254 885 016.