THE community came together in Malvern Link on Sunday to celebrate the official opening of the improved and refurbished 2nd Malvern Scout HQ.

The building, in Spring Lane, has a new purpose-built annexe, specifically designed for people with learning and physical disabilities.

It is now the home of Mencap Pathway, a day service run by Heart of England Mencap offering meaningful leisure and learning opportunities to adults with learning disabilities.

Pathway is now running five days a week, welcoming 10 customers already. Activities being enjoyed include dance and drama, cooking, woodwork, arts and crafts and gardening.

The significant improvements to the building were largely funded by Malvern Mencap with help from the 2nd Malvern Scout Group. The extra activity room and the addition of a personal care suite now opens the facilities up to local people with physical and learning disabilities.

Ken Instan, chairman of Malvern Mencap, said: "This is the result of a partnership between our society and the 2nd Malvern Scout Group to provide a facility for people with a learning or physical disability, following the closure of the day centre in Geraldine Road. It is now a much-improved resource for both the scouts and the community in general."

Peter Reeve from the 2nd Malvern Scout Group said: "The group is delighted to have partnered with Malvern Mencap to provide this facility, which also provides enhanced facilities for scouting in the Malverns and for the local community."

Ben Davies, service manager for Heart of England Mencap, said: “Thanks to Malvern Mencap and the 2nd Malvern Scout Group, local people with learning disabilities have a place to come together and engage in meaningful activities.

"Pathway is about focusing on abilities and not disabilities. We want to promote health and wellbeing, increase or maintain independence, building confidence and friendships, and have a lot of fun along the way."