The Greenscope project reopened last week in Bromsgrove, welcoming in a crowd of people by hosting the Christmas fair for neighbouring Meadows First School.

Until a few years ago the centre, which operates as a garden centre for adults with learning disabilities, was run by Worcestershire County Council, but as a result of financial pressures, the funding was cut, and the project was put out to tender to local charities.

It has now been taken over by charity People in Action, and since the summer they have been getting the centre ready to reopen.

Sara Doughty from People in Action, said: “We took over the site at the end of August, early September and we have been basically getting it all back together again, tidying it up, and we’re really keen to get involved with the local community.

“It’s not about branding it as something new, so we’ve kept the name Greenscope, which people know already, and the logo is similar to what it used to be.”

The centre was buzzing as people dropped in on the Meadows First School Christmas Fair on Thursday, enjoying everything from a magician to a visit from the Round Table’s Santa sleigh.

Local councillors and staff at the centre took part in a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the grand re-opening of the project, which will provide opportunities for people with learning disabilities to take part in horticulture therapy.

Mr Doughty added: “They will have the chance to try potting on, growing plants on from seedlings. They can learn about growing your own, and how to live healthy by growing healthy. They also learn arts and crafts, and it’s a great chance to socialise and meet new people, as well as learning new skills.

“The centre is open to the public as a garden centre, so they’ll learn customer service skills, but it’s not really a commercial business, people are involved as staff, but it’s more of a social situation.”

The majority of people work with the project through referrals from social services, but if people with an assessment of needs want to contact the centre and discuss getting involved, they can call 01527 557420 for more information.