A CHARITY is searching across South Gloucestershire for a new home after it has been told it has to leave its current site in Thornbury.

Incredible Kids, who support families with disabled children, have been based in the former South Gloucestershire Council offices in Thornbury since January after they were forced to move from their old home in Bradley Stoke after their rent was trebled.

But despite the kind offer from the county council to use their former offices temporarily while they looked for a new base, they always knew it was temporary as the site is set for demolition in coming months, to make way for a retirement flat complex.

“We are appealing for anyone who could help us find a new home to come forwards,” said Incredible Kids trustee Jennie Prewett.

“We still don’t know what will happen yet, but we are adamant that whatever the case, we are a lifeline to many families and need to carry on our work.”

“We knew when we moved in that we would only have a couple of months here and began looking for a more permanent home that very day.

“Even though we have had longer here than we had expected, it has still been a tough search.”

Talking about what options they have been given, she said they have looked as far as Henbury, but said that with most families using the charity being from Thornbury and Bradley Stroke, as well as some travelling from as far as Cardiff, Portishead and Bath, it is important that they remain in the area.

“There have been suggestions that we could look to use community or school halls but unfortunately it isn’t suitable for us.

“We will often cater for anywhere up to 100 children and their families and need a large space that would be dedicated to us for the amount of equipment, toys and facilities that we make available.

“The main problem on top of that is that there would be the issue of tidying up. When you are dealing with children with special needs it would take much more time than most would expect.”

A South Gloucestershire Council spokesman said: “The Incredible Kids charity does fantastic work and we are pleased that we have been able to offer them temporary accommodation whilst they look for a permanent home.

“While we have been pleased to offer them help in the short term, the council does not own or have a suitable space or building available. However, we have put them in touch with a business network, and provided them with a list of contacts who may be able to offer or facilitate a new home for them to consider.”

For more information about Incredible Kids or to get in touch with Jennie and the charity, email incrediblekidsuk@gmail.com