Thaxted Centre for the Disabled

About the Club

Are you disabled and bored with being at home all day? Would you like to go out and meet other people in the same boat as yourself on one or two days a week?

Two days a week a group of people come to Thaxted from the surrounding towns and villages, to be together and enjoy various activities such as knitting, craft work, basketry and cane chair repairs.

Chair repairs are undertaken for rush chairs (which we usually do in seagrass) and cane chairs.

Members are taken from the Uttlesford area, and transport is provided by Book-a-ride or the Thaxted Minibus wherever possible. We have lunches and outings during the year, and have a great time at Christmas.

At our Centre all our members are physically disabled in some way or another but are able to take part in our activities. We do all kinds of handcrafts and what you do is tailored to what you like doing and what you are able to do. The Centre is a place where you can use your skills or hobbies, learn new ones; a place where you are part of a group with common interest, meeting in a warm and friendly environment.

Also it is a great opportunity to come and make friends, have a chat and generally enjoy a day out.

Visitors are welcome, and craft items, knitted goods and basketry are on sale. Orders can be taken for cane chair repairs.

The Centre was started in 1963 and moved to its present purpose built premises in 1973. It has wheelchair access and toilets for the disabled.

The Centre receives grants from Essex County Council and Uttlesford District Council, which meet half the running costs. The remainder comes from selling the craft items made at the Centre, from voluntary donations, covenants and other fund-raising activities. The helpers are all voluntary.

The Centre is a charity entirely staffed by voluntary help. We are open on Mondays and Thursdays and our members arrive at about 9.30 am and leave at 2.30 pm. Transport is available from most areas.

The Centres address is: Thaxted Centre for the Diabled, Dunmow Road, Thaxted, Essex, CM6 2LU

Telephone: 01371 830752

As we are only here two days a week our hall is available for hire on the other days and in the evenings, for meetings and classes. Please ask for details.