On Tuesday 18th June, Lincolnshire Employment Accommodation Project (LEAP) welcomed local community contacts to its official opening of their Gainsborough Hub extension after an exciting refurbishment.
LEAP CEO, Heidi Walton, and Chair of the Board, Erika Stoddart, welcomed Cllr Steve Bunney as the Guest of Honour along with Chief Executive Officer of West Lindsay District Council, Ian Knowles, to celebrate the occasion and experience first-hand the outstanding facilities and support provided by LEAP.
The event kicked off with speeches from Cllr Bunney, Heidi Walton, Erika Stoddart and a local resident and service user, which were followed by lunch and information sessions provided by LEAP housing officers, community participation and advice officers and tours of the local community and LEAP accommodation.
LEAP CEO, Heidi Walton said “Beyond the accommodation, hub and office space on Trinity Street, we have bought and renovated many other properties in the area over the last 9 years and all to a good standard, improving the street scene. We are very proud of our accomplishments but there is still much work to be done”.
“We recognised the need to be able to offer advice and guidance to people living in the community and Molly, our Advice and Guidance Officer, has been building relationships so we can widen our offerings. We are now providing workshops, training and surgeries and we have been busy inviting other organisations in to offer a variety of different sessions too. Molly also delivers Advice and Guidance to those living in the local community and supporting, signposting them when necessary.
During the event visitors were also able to speak to previous resident, Paul, about the help he has received from LEAP and what a positive effect they have had on helping him turn his life around.
Paul’s story is available to watch here.