A new special school in Hereford which is hoping to open in February has received a setback after being declined by the National Lottery, who it was hoping would provide funding for some of their start-up costs.
The new school, GEM Hereford, is being set up by Mercia Learning (a not for profit organisation) and was hoping to fund some of the essential start-up costs with a grant from the National Lottery.
The school has already received funding from public donations and promises of help from local organisations such as Avara Foods but still needs an additional £25k to realise its dream of opening as a fully equipped and furnished school from February
Debra Thomas told us:
“I was devastated to learn we wouldn’t receive any money. Feedback from the National Lottery praised our efforts to meet the needs of children with diagnoses such as ASD, ADHD, anxiety or trauma.
“However, they told us that they cannot fund our project because they ‘can’t fund activities that public organisations have a legal responsibility to provide’.”
“I’m trying to create a suitable space that will meet the essential needs of children for whom mainstream school is not the right environment.
“There is currently nothing similar in this area and once we get going, we will be able to take children from surrounding areas and really improve their long-term future prospects as a result. Now we’re left scrabbling around for further offers of funding for a service, which the National Lottery say public organisations should be providing.”
Debra set up Mercia Learning 3 years ago and has self-funded this project to a certain point. Her salary from Mercia Learning goes back into the business to enable it to thrive and grow.
Part of the plan for growth is to open GEM Hereford to meet an acute and growing need. There is currently a distinct lack of provision for children with SEN needs, not only in Hereford, but in neighbouring counties such as Powys, Worcestershire, and Gloucestershire, and once the building is ready and able to provide this essential service, we will receive local authority funding for the provision, but they will not fund the start-up costs to bring the school to the required standard.
GEM Hereford will be opening, after the February half term, at Trinity House in Moor Farm once it receives final Ofsted approval. having already passed due diligence with them. Debra is continuing with her efforts to find benefactors and raise money for this much needed provision. You can donate or make offers of help on the GEM Hereford Facebook page.
