Hampshire County Council's new £230,000 resource centre for people with learning disabilities, The Grove, has just opened in Kings Worthy, near Winchester.

The service is being provided from remodelled buildings of the former Kings Worthy Day Centre, which has moved to new facilities across the road at Cornerways Older People's Home.

The Grove offers around 60 adults with learning disabilities from the Winchester area a range of day facilities, including an IT suite, sensory room (where special equipment is used to stimulate the senses), activity room, therapy room, and quiet room. In addition, the kitchen and toilets have been adapted and corridors widened for use by those in wheelchairs. Outside, a new courtyard garden and two walled gardens are available, which will be tended by those using The Grove. Service users have been consulted over the new service, assisting with selecting blinds, curtains and colour schemes, and will be contribute to the design of future services.

The centre will also be used to offer one on one support work such as helping with budgets, shopping, life skills and education, and be used by other community groups such as Mencap's Gateway Club.

Hampshire County Council's Executive Member for Social Care, Councillor Felicity Hindson, said: "This is a wonderful new facility which is much needed in this area by people with learning disabilities and will be a great boost for their independence. I am pleased the County Council has been able to support the development of The Grove which I am sure will be of great benefit to users as well as providing important respite for their families and carers."

The centre has been renamed The Grove as that was a name the area was previously referred to in historical records of the site.