For many years the Princes Risborough Day Centre provided care for clients with mental health problems, physical and learning difficulties. The centre was funded by Bucks County Council. About 13 years ago the Day Centre was threatened with closure. Faced with this danger, Risborough Cares Charity was established with the aim of retaining day care service. In 2011, Bucks County Council proposed to withdraw funding for the centre, closing them down and putting the site on the market for sale.

The closing date for the centre was to be June 2012. Risborough Cares immediately launched a campaign to save the centres and organised a protest petition of over 3000 signatures. Finally after pressure extended by the Town Council, Risborough Cares and our County Councillor Carl Etholen, permission was given to the local community to provide Day Care services. However, there would be no public funding. The terms were a peppercorn rent for 2 years with the option to purchase the building.

At this stage a Social Enterprise Group consisting of representatives from the Town Council, Churches Together, Risborough Cares Charity and the Risborough Area Partnership was set-up. The group estimated the cost of the building and transient expenses would be £300,000. The vital service needed by local people has continued without a break but we are need of successful fundraising to ensure the long term future of high quality day care in the Risborough area.