£50,000 Bishop’s Stortford Town Council grant boosts Grove Cottage appeal

Bishop’s Stortford Town Council has granted £50,000 to Grove Cottage’s £2.5 million rebuilding project.

The charity, which receives no funding from Mencap, outgrew its ageing premises at London Road and is constructing a state-of-the-art facility to maximise the educational and social activities it provides for people of all ages with learning disabilities.

Fundraising manager Natalie Prosser said: “We’re very grateful to the town council for their generous support.

“This grant will enable Grove Cottage to build a safer, more accessible building for our members and will make a significant difference in our ability to continue to support our members to lead fulfilling lives.”

Natalie said that support from the town council, other organisations, businesses and individuals had been incredible.

She added: “We still have some way to go to meet our fundraising target, and there’s the opportunity to support our project by heading to our ‘A Better Building for a Brighter Future’ page at https://www.mencapgrovecottage.org/build/.”

Cllr Miriam Swainston, leader of the town council, said: “I’m delighted Bishop’s Stortford Town Council has been able to award £50,000 towards the redevelopment of Grove Cottage.

“This is such an important resource in the town – it supports some of our most vulnerable residents.

“It’s wonderful that they help people of all ages, with learning disabilities and special additional needs, to live the fullest and happiest lives that they can. The support they provide to their families is also essential.

“I wish them every success with this project and urge everyone able to support Grove Cottage to do so.”