A DROITWICH shop that offers work placements for disabled residents is being forced to close after its funding ran out.
Snax on Trax, based at the town’s railway station, will be closing it doors for the final time after 15 years at the end of this month.
The funding from Worcestershire County Council is coming to an end meaning the store is no longer viable and £30,000 needs to be found or raised from somewhere help keep it going.
The shop is open from 7am until 6pm six days a week from Monday to Saturday and provides opportunities to around 30 people with learning disabilities – at a time – from Kingfields Day Centre, on Ledwych Road.
Yesterday afternoon (Thursday), as The Standard went to press, a protest was being held to highlight the plight of the store.
It was first launched with the aim of helping its users to get out of day centres and integrated into their communities.
Worcestershire Lifestyles has been managing the Snax on Trax on behalf of the council’s adult social care.
The shop allows disabled people to gain skills in both catering and retail, helping them find education and employment opportunities.
Sandra Hill is the project coordinator at SpeakEasyNOW, a Droitwich-based charity which supports people with learning disabilities to speak up about issues affecting them.
She said members were shocked Snax on Trax would be closing.
“If the people of Droitwich do not want to lose it then they need to use it more and support it to keep income coming in and keep it viable.
“It is not about people hiding away from society – it is about them being out there in the community. “
Janet Chesson, who uses the shop, said: “I am disappointed Snax on Trax will be closing.
“I work there on Wednesdays and Saturdays – I have been going since it opened 15 years ago.
“It gets me out of my flat – I enjoy the company and meeting people.”
Coun Margaret Rowley, who helped organise the protest, said: “It provides a well-appreciated service.
“The county council has withdrawn funding without any public consultation or announcement.”
Coun Sheila Blagg, who is responsible for adult social care, said the kiosk was run through Worcestershire Lifestyles funded by a grant by the county council.
After initially finishing in 2014, one further year of funding was given by the council for the provider to find a sustainable funding solution.
But, it has been unable to find alternative funding sources.
“Worcestershire Lifestyles is making arrangements for those volunteers affected by the closure of Snax on Trax.”
Worcestershire County Councillor Sheila Blagg said a new Learning Disability Connect Service would be functioning from Droitwich Library very shortly, providing opportunities to explore volunteering and employment prospects as well as other social and leisure activities.
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