The Right Honorable David Cameron MP marked national Learning Disability Week by officially opening The Tager Centre, a new residential centre for 16 adults with autism. The Centre is part of Ravenswood, a residential community in Berkshire, which is run by Norwood, a leading UK charity providing support to children, families and adults with social disadvantage or learning disabilities from the Jewish community and beyond.
During his visit, Mr Cameron, Leader of the Conservative Party, toured the new state of the art centre, which has been specially designed to meet the needs of people on the autistic spectrum who have very high support needs, including difficulties with social interaction. There are four wings, each containing four single units with private gardens so that people can have space to be on their own and communal areas to give opportunities for mixing together. Mr Cameron met Ravenswood residents and staff, Norwood executives and trustees as well as major donors who have contributed to the building. This was the second time he has spoken to Norwood guests, the first was as guest speaker at Norwood’s Annual Dinner in 2007.
David Cameron addressed the 80 guests at the opening, and after unveiling the plaque in the new building, Mr Cameron said,
“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to open this great new centre, and to see for my own eyes just how much of a difference it will make.
“It will provide individualised, expert support. It will allow families to play an integral part in their relatives' lives. And it will involve residents within the local community.
“In short, it is a model of best practice for adults with autism who have very high support needs, and reflects the values of Norwood as a whole.
“The centre is a tribute to all who work here and to those whose support has made it possible, and I would like to wish you every success in the future".
Norwood’s Chairman, Bernie Myers, said, “We are delighted to have David Cameron’s support for Norwood’s work and the opening of the new Tager Centre is a further development of Norwood’s highly-specialised services for people with learning disabilities. We are very proud of our expertise in this field and it is due to the generosity of our donors that we have been able to make this Centre a reality.”
The Tager Centre cost £2.4million to build and equip and has been named after the Tager family in recognition of a generous donation by Romie Tager QC and his sister Dr Helen Tager-Flusberg, both of whom spoke during the official opening. Their sister Sharon, who has learning disabilities, lives at Ravenswood and their late brother Henry, was also a resident there. A legacy left by the late Sydney Silver, who was the relative of a Ravenswood resident together with contributions from the late Maureen Van den Bergh and others, made the building possible.
Norwood has a long history of supporting people on the autistic spectrum and is developing specialist services for both children and adults with autism. Everyone who uses Norwood’s services in London and Berkshire, is supported through using a personalised approach and each person is encouraged to exercise choice and control over their lives. The specialist focus of the service enables each person to develop new skills so that they can move on to greater independence and active citizenship within the local and wider community.
Norma Brier, Chief Executive of Norwood said, “The Opening of the Tager Centre is the realisation of a dream that will greatly improve the lives of those who use it. The Centre offers an opportunity for each person with a complex autistic spectrum disability to find their own unique way to define their goals in life and develop ways of reaching them so that their lives are improved and above all enjoyed.”
For more information on the Tager Centre, click here to download the brochure.
