THE FOUNDER of a charity that supports young people and adults with learning difficulties in the Vale has been recognised in the King’s New Year Honours List.
Tracey Hemming, who opened the Freedom Day Centre in 2017, has been given a BEM (British Empire Medal) for her tireless work for the learning disability community.
The non-profit organisation which offers a range of educational, therapeutic and social opportunities for individuals with additional needs was started by Tracey because of a lack of provision in the area.
Tracey Hemming is all smiles after hearing about her BEM recognition. Picture by Marcus Mingins 0225009MMR2
Tracey, who lives in Badsey, received notification at the beginning of December and wasn’t allowed to tell anyone until 10.30pm on December 30.
She said: “It was very exciting to open as it was a very official looking letter. When I did I had to read it through a couple of times to make sure I was reading it correctly.
“It is nice to be recognised for all the work we all do. It’s good I’ve got the recognition but we are a team here at Freedom and everyone deserves acknowledgement.”
To celebrate, Tracey and her colleagues are throwing a Valentine-themed party in Evesham on February 13 for all Freedom users and supporters to mark it in style.
The day centre initially started in 2017 from a rented room at the Royal British Legion club in Badsey. This followed a number of popular discos she had organised for people with additional needs in Evesham the previous year.
In 2021 it moved to its present site, a former Quaker meeting house in Shinehill Lane, South Littleton which the charity was able to buy following a rigorous fundraising campaign.
In 2024 it built a £100,000 extension providing the venue with a bigger main hall, new kitchen and cafe run by service users and open to the public from Monday to Thursday.
Tracey, whose son and two brothers use the day centre, said that wanting to improve the lives of people with learning disabilities has been a “labour of love”.
She told the Observer she was looking forward to the next goal which is to provide supported living accommodation in Badsey as well as with a cafe that can double-up as a community hub during the evening.
“We will always strive to achieve what our users ask us for. It’s all worthwhile when you see their faces,” she added.
