A Wirral charity for people with autism has been given a gift of three buildings from a housing association to help support its work.
The Grade II-listed Enterprise Centre, Giles Shirley Hall and the former St Matthew’s Church building, all on York Street in Bromborough Pool Village have been handed to Autism Together by Riverside Housing.
The properties had previously been leased to the charity, but they will now take full ownership, at no cost.
Autism Together was founded in 1968 and currently provides residential, supported living and day services to over 400 autistic adults, and support to many more families across the region.
Bromborough Pool Village was created as a model village for workers at Prices Candles and pre-dates nearby Port Sunlight.
Riverside took ownership of around 60 homes in Bromborough Pool in 1987 along with the local school, church, village hall, social club, playing fields and allotments, and began to invest in new homes.
Wirral Autistic Society (now Autism Together) became a partner, providing supported housing in the area, and the two organisations have maintained a close working relationship.
Bromborough Pool Village has been an important hub for the charity ever since, with many residents calling the place home, a range of day services being located there, and Autism Together later opening a community garden centre and café in the village centre, too.
Richard Whitby, chief executive of Autism Together, said: "Autism Together is delighted to be taking over the ownership of these three beautiful and historic buildings in Bromborough Pool Village.
"They, alongside our Garden Centre, will be the basis for an exciting new vision, as we look to sympathetically develop these buildings for the benefit of the people we support and the local community.
"Thanks to Riverside for their generosity and support."
Ian Gregg, Executive Director of Asset Services at Riverside, said: "We're pleased to be able to support the fantastic work of Autism Together by providing them ownership of the three buildings.
"Their work in the community is amazing as we know from our nearby homes and care and support facilities."
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