A HARD-WORKING Vale mum who started fund-raising to set up a disco for people with learning disabilities and went on to establish a popular day centre has been honoured with the Wychavon Diamond Jubilee Community Recognition Award.
Coun Liz Eyre, chairman of Wychavon District Council, presented Tracey Hemming with the trophy which she will get to keep for 12 months and a cheque for £200 at a ceremony at the Civic Centre in Pershore on Monday.
Tracey was nominated by Badsey and Aldington Parish Council for her ‘selfless energy and absolute dedication’ to the countless list of activities and achievements of the Freedom Disco and Day Centre, which she has established at Badsey’s Pub in a Club.
Her initial motivation in February 2016 was her son, who had been left heartbroken when Marilyn’s stopped running its Tuesday disco for people with learning disabilities.
Knowing how important the disco had been for both its users and their carers, Tracey decided to raise funds to purchase the equipment necessary to provide a replacement disco in Badsey.
Within a week she had managed to raise £400 via a Facebook campaign and had also managed to pick-up a complete disco kit from a day centre in Derby that was closing.
With the equipment in place, Freedom Disco was born, catering for people aged 11 and upwards. The disco has proved to be extremely successful and numbers grow steadily. Today between 60 and 100 people from all over the area can be in attendance on Tuesdays.
Tracey has continued to fund-raise through village fetes and has also secured support from Badsey and Aldington Parish Council, Wychavon District Council and Worcestershire County Council, as well as from local companies and private individuals to purchase a properly equipped mini-bus for people who might not otherwise be able to attend the disco.
“Tracey is an inspiration to us all. There’s no doubt that without her passion, warmth and utter dedication to her family, her community and indeed the wider area, we would not have the Freedom Disco and Day Centre and many lives would be all the poorer,” Coun Eyre said,
Tracey said: “I am very proud to receive this award. I would like to give special thanks to all my team and also the Badsey community, as without their help this wouldn’t be possible.”
Now the Freedom Disco and Day Centre is established, Tracey opens its doors from Monday to Friday not only for her clients and their carers but also for local pensioners and others who drop in for sports sessions, coffee mornings, cookery classes, weekly bingo and more.
