The new Halcon Link Centre was opened on 1st March.

New Halcon Link Centre

The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Amber Rudd, was in Taunton on March 1st where she visited the new Halcon Link Centre.

Ms Rudd, who lists ‘Welfare’ amongst her main political interests, spent over 40 minutes at the new facility meeting volunteers and clients of the Link Project.

She described her visit as an inspiration:  “I’m delighted to have had the chance to meet people working on this project, many of whom have faced similar difficulties to those they now advise.”

Taunton East Development Trust has been working with Taunton Vale Rotary Club and other local stakeholders to provide new and improved premises for the drop in and advice centre which was formally opened this afternoon by local M.P. Rebecca Pow. 

Speaking at the ceremony she said she was delighted by the way the Development Trust works alongside other statutory and voluntary groups to provide a wide variety of social and health services to the six thousand residents of the Halcon, Lane and Leycroft estates. “It’s an indication that Taunton is a caring town,” she said.

The Link Centre has already shown that it can provide a supportive, non-judgemental “safe haven” for individuals and also help to reduce isolation and vulnerability, particularly amongst those with mental health issues and the elderly.

The new building provides office space for both the advice centre and Link Power.  The Link Power scheme helps people develop self-respect and confidence as well as providing opportunities for them to acquire life and work skills.

Chairman of the East Taunton Development Trust, Paul Hughes, paid tribute to the large number of individuals and groups that have come together to make the new centre a reality.