Case Study

Hastings and Bexhill Mencap

New arts centre and redevelopment supporting people with learning disabilities.

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Project snapshot

Who

Hastings and Bexhill Mencap

What

To support the building of a new purpose-built arts centre and facilities

 

Why

To increase the support and services they provide to society members

 

The cause

Hastings & Bexhill Mencap Society (HBMS) has been supporting local people with a learning disability, their families, and carers for over 60 years.

Operating from their Frimley Centre headquarters in St Leonards-on-Sea, HMBS provide a diverse range of tailored support, skills, and education services to more than 130 members.
 
To further the support they provide, HMBS set out to enhance the existing Frimley Centre site, including the addition of a new café, lift, and refreshed communal spaces, to help members socialise and move independently throughout the buildings and classrooms.

The society also sought to utilise the space available on site with the addition of a purpose-built arts centre facility, with rehearsal spaces, a theatre, and amenities specifically designed to meet the needs of its students and society members.

Our support

After receiving generous donations from the local community and securing grant funding, HMBS approached CAF Bank, a specialist in financial services for the charity sector, for the remaining funds required to undertake the work. 

“It was a pleasure to visit Hastings and Bexhill Mencap and see their vision for the new arts centre come to life. Working with their team to ensure they had access to the necessary funding was a rewarding experience, and I am proud that CAF Bank could play a part in making this important project possible”, says CAF Bank Relationship Manager, Andrew Smith.

“Seeing the finished centre and witnessing the transformative work being done for the local community was a privilege, and it underscored the real, positive impact that CAF Bank’s support for charities can have within local communities.”

As a specialist bank that understands and prioritises the needs of the charity sector, CAF Bank secured loans can be repaid in full after only two years, without additional charges.

The impact

The work, which also includes a covered walkway to the centre from the renovated Frimley Centre and an accessible garden, has enabled HBMS to double the number of people able to attend and benefit from its arts activities, providing services to anyone regardless of any mobility issues they may have.

Investing in the new arts centre will also help HBMS to both lower their operating costs, by reducing the need to rent outside facilities, and generate additional revenue, by making it available for hire. 
  
“This extensive building project has not only developed our existing building into a fully accessible, modernised facility complete with new visual arts studio, but thanks to the support of CAF bank has enabled us to create a fantastic performing arts studio in our grounds”, says HMBS’ CEO, Pauline Fletcher. 

“These facilities have transformed our services with everyone being together for the first time.  Our students and members can now have real ownership of their centre where together they can learn, create, and socialise with freedom to independently move around all areas.  

“The project is enabling us to offer greater opportunities to more people, supporting our financial sustainability, and has made the Frimley Centre a great place to be for our members, students and for our staff.

If your charity is interested in exploring how a CAF Bank loan could support your work, you can contact our expert team or learn more about the range of loans we provide here.

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