Changes on way for Hartlepool group which helps disabled youngsters

The 1 Hart 1 Mind 1 Future group has secured its own premises at St Oswald’s Community Hall and Garden in the town.

Member and parent Christine Fewster said it would be open on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am-2pm.

The group will be a place to welcome families who want to drop in to have a cuppa and find out more.

1 Hart 1 Mind 1 Future is already an award winner.

It won the community group category of the Best of Hartlepool Awards last year and is bidding to lift an award at this year’s ceremony as well.

But in the meantime, the group is enjoying settling into its new premises.

Christine said the new venue would be a base where people could find out much more about “all services available to families in Hartlepool who have children and young people aged 0-25 years old, with additional needs and disabilities”.

She added: “We will also run cake and coffee mornings with guest speakers, training for families and will hold various events, including social opportunities for the whole family.”

There will also be an open day on Monday from 11am to 2pm for people to look round and meet new members.

Christine added: “The group runs on volunteers and believe it is an essential service for families to help them navigate the way through services from other families who have had experience.”

1 Hart 1 Mind 1 Future has enjoyed a remarkable turnaround in recent times.

The group was in danger of disappearing in 2014 following a drop in numbers, but it has seen membership levels rocket from almost zero to 285 in less than two years.

To find out more about 1 Hart, 1 Mind, 1 Future, visit http://www.onefuture.org.uk, email [email protected], contact 07896054361 or visit the group’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/1hart1mind1future