Vital improvement work at Ladybrook Community Centre, Mansfield, means users no longer have to dodge buckets collecting rainwater from a leaking roof.

The £50,000-worth of improvements has been funded by Nottinghamshire County Council’s Local Improvement Scheme (LIS)

The first stage of work to replace the damaged roof has been completed, with further improvements well under way to make the building watertight, damp free and a comfortable place to be for the hundreds of visitors that the centre supports each week.

The centre, which is owned and run by the charity, Ladybrook Enterprises, provides services aimed at improving the lives of those living in the Mansfield area

Lian Nixon-Chater, services manager for the charity, said: “We have had a roof that has let in rain water for over a decade, having purchased the centre from our landlords back in December 2019. We knew this was our opportunity to get the centre to the state our customers deserve it to be in. The funding we received from Nottinghamshire County Council  has been invaluable and now means those visiting the centre for our therapeutic services, physical and mental health support services and community share scheme no longer have to navigate their way around tubs collecting water.”

Co Coun John Handley,  vice-chairman of the Communities and Place Committee, who oversees the LIS scheme, said: “This is great example of how Local Improvement Scheme capital funding  is investing in local projects that play a huge role in helping make our communities a better place to live.

“LIS is also helping support local jobs and the economy at this challenging time with a local small business contracted to do the roofing work.”

County councillors for the Mansfield West area, Diana Meale and Paul Henshaw both backed this project

Coun Meale  commented: “I was delighted to support this vital project as these repairs and improvements were much needed. This wonderful centre  is at the heart of our community and been a lifeline for many over recent times”

Coun Henshaw  added: “This investment was essential as this centre improves the lives of so many local people.  I look forward to all the upgrades and improvements being complete, thanks to this LIS capital funding.”

Last year, Ladybrook Enterprises were also allocated £2,000 as part of the council’s Community Fund, which continues to support local community and voluntary groups as they respond to exceptional challenges during the pandemic.

During lockdown, despite not being able to open for many of their normal activities and services, the Ladybrook team continued operating key services that have supported local  people to cope with the Covid restrictions and the problems and challenges they have brought.

Over the last year they have been busy providing befriending services with over 550 calls being made by volunteers to those isolated in the community, as well as delivering almost 600 free food parcels during the first lockdown and then since September,  have had more than 600 visits to the centre as part of the  community share scheme, which offers free clothing, shoes, toiletries and food items to members of the Mansfield community.

Lian Nixon-Chater added: “Nottingham roofing company East Midlands Roofing Solutions were contracted to replace  the new roof and spent several weeks on site. During this time they witnessed the great work happening at the centre and how much support was given, even in the most testing of times, and on their last day on site two of the team made cash donations to the charity as a token of their support and appreciation for all that is done from there.

“Our centre, which is usually visited more than 25,000 times a year and our team of staff and volunteers, look forward to welcoming back the wider community soon to their newly refurbished centre.”

Information on all current activities and re-opening dates for wider services can be found on their website at www.ladybrookcommunitycentre.co.uk