A GARDEN centre that provides training and new opportunities for vulnerable adults has been taken over by local charity Alabaré.

The Old Sarum Development & Garden Centre was officially opened on Friday after the horticulture side of the service was transferred from the Shaw Trust.

Alabaré’s Development Centres are fully accredited and deliver qualifications through vocational training and purposeful activities for vulnerable adults with a variety of needs.

The Old Sarum site has large gardens, a retail shop and a grounds maintenance service.

MP John Glen cut the ribbon to officially open the centre, and also planted a ceremonial tree in the grounds.

“It is a great pleasure to be back at Old Sarum Development Centre and to help reopen this wonderful resource under Alabaré’s reassuring care,” he said.

“I have visited Old Sarum Garden Centre on a number of occasions and I am delighted that the valuable work will continue and this resource will remain fully open and available to this very special and valued group of individuals within our community.”

Mel Greenstock, Alabaré’s care and support manager for learning disabilities and mental health, added: “We are so excited to be officially opening our new development and garden centre. We hope to carry on the good work that the Sarum Trust started and develop it further to offer our service users the best possible support and opportunities for years to come.”

Alabaré also runs a development centre in Barford St Martin which has a wood workshop, pottery barn, training kitchen, teaching room and an acre of land dedicated to horticulture.