A FOREST day centre has celebrated its 25th anniversary – but it is only one part of a much bigger story.

Sheppard House in Newent opened its doors in 1994 and was the culmination of the work of campaigner Trudie Sheppard.

Mrs Sheppard founded the Newent Association for the Disabled in 1981, to be followed by Newent Dial-a-Ride and Sheppard House.

The anniversary of Sheppard House was marked with the official opening of a new garden created by members of Newent Rotary Club.

Trudie’s daughter, Lynne Mayo, said she was “a tough, resourceful woman.”

Mrs Sheppard was born without a hip joint and started her work for older people and those with disabilities after taking early retirement due to ill-health.

Mrs Mayo said: “She asked her occupational therapist if there were any clubs for disabled folk. When this was answered in the negative, it fuelled an idea which became a life-long ambition to start a club for disabled folk and for older people, as there didn’t seem to be any facilities for them.”

She started a club once a week at Newent Community Centre and added a second day at the sixth form centre to meet demand.

When it became clear that people were finding it difficult to get there, she started what would become Newent Dial-a-Ride, the first of its kind in Gloucestershire.

In 1992 she started the Freshfields appeal to provide a purpose-built unit that physically disabled people of Newent and the surrounding areas could meet, have fun and have a meal and recreation.

Sheppard House was opened two years later in Onslow Road.

Lynne added: “Mum could not have done what she did on her own. She had an army of volunteers and, later, paid staff who have always gone above and beyond what was expected.

“Thanks to them, all past and present, for their loyalty to mum’s charity.

“She died in 2011, but I’m sure she would have been thrilled to see her legacy continuing.”

Chief executive of the Newent Association for the Disabled, Lyndon Biddle, said it was “the story of a remarkable woman and gives us a great deal of hope and optimism for the future.”

“The Board of Trustees is very supportive and we are blessed with a great staff team,” he added.

“Volunteers are the life blood of the charity – we couldn’t operate without them and we are very fortunate, that the community supports us.

“The whole point is to end lonlieness and to give people the choice to stay in their own homes.”

Forest MP Mark Har- per was among the 120 guests attending the anniversary celebration.

He said: “The remit of this organisation absolutely fits in with everything the government is trying to do, and what society should be trying to do, in making sure, as people live longer, that we try and make sure people can live as independent lives as they can, at home when they can, and have all the support to be mobile and to have the support of the community.

“This organisation has not just been of service to a particular part of the community, but has worked with the whole of the community.”

The new garden was officially opened by the Deputy Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, Ruth Fitzjohn.

She said: “What the Rotary Club has done in building this garden shows community spirit at its very best. They didn’t just throw a bit of money at it, they raised the money and made sure the work happened.”

The two-year project began when Richard Brown was looking for an initiative to support during his year as president of the Rotary Club of Newent.

“My wife Gill works here once a week, so it was an obvious link,” he said.

The current president, Neil Albinson, added: “Richard invited our members to take part in constructing what is a lovely garden.

“Our members enjoyed building it and hopefully your guests will enjoy using it.”