Mansfield-based charity A Place To Call Our Own (APTCOO) is celebrating 25 years of providing personalised, holistic support to families across Nottinghamshire who have a child or young person with an additional need and/or disability, by launching a new service.

The APTCOO Positive Learning Centre will provide short, medium and long-term education placements to children and young people with a wide range of needs and abilities from early years to adults.

APTCOO has also become a registered provider of accredited and non-accredited education through NCSEP (Nottingham City Secondary Education Partnership), which oversees the quality assurance and safe operation of alternative provision across Nottingham and parts of Nottinghamshire.

Education will be delivered across a range of sites depending on the needs and capacities of the individual, their location and desired learning outcomes. Each site has its own distinct identity and all provide children and young people with accessible, friendly, safe, fit-for-purpose, stimulating educational activities within a non-clinical environment

The Botany Park centre in Mansfield is tailored for those with a Multi-Sensory Impairment (MSI) who may have vision, hearing, touch, taste, speech, balance and walking difficulties along with medical, physical, genetic or cognitive learning disabilities.

The Learn, Work and Earn Centre, including the APTCOO Allotment, in Mansfield is a dedicated space for those seeking to develop their employability and independent living skills; recognising the needs, wants and choices of young people transitioning and/or preparing for adulthood.

Stephen House, Retford, offers families living in the Bassetlaw area and surrounding rural communities, greater choice and opportunities to access education, learning and development.

David Liggins, chairman of APTCOO, said “For many years, families and professionals have asked APTCOO to deliver this type of service. The announcement is a monumental achievement and a testament to the hard work and dedication it has taken to get to this point.

“It’s humbling to know that APTCOO can make such a difference to the lives of children, young people and families as a result of the pioneering approach they have taken towards the innovation of education.

Call 01623 629902 or email [email protected] or go to www.aptcoo.co.uk/services/positive-learning-cen tre.html for details.