A grant from the Asda Foundation has helped a theatre group from Wombwell install a much-needed disabled toilet at the centre where they rehearse and perform.
Our Barnsley store's community champion Tina Burke volunteers every week with Mencap's Take a Bow Theatre Group and helped them apply for a grant of £8,500 to build and fit the new toilet.
The group perform at the Operatic Centre in Wombwell, which did not previously have disabled toilet facilities. Now, the grant has allowed them to build a new disabled toilet which will hugely benefit them plus other performers, as well as audience members who use the centre.
Les Smith, lettings manager at Wombwell and District Amateur Operatic Society, said: "This toilet is already making a hell of a difference, not just to Take a Bow but to other groups. It's absolutely brilliant and Tina has been absolutely wonderful with her assistance too.
"The centre is an old chapel and previously groups had to use and get changed in the ladies or gents toilets, which are very difficult to access if you have a wheelchair. In the past we have had to stop performances because an audience member in a wheelchair has needed to use the toilet.
"I was explaining this to Tina one week when she mentioned the possibility of applying for a grant. She helped us through it all and we were delighted to receive the cheque."
There are around 40 people in the Take a Bow group, including carers, who take part in drama, dance, music and set design and present their own productions.
Tina said: "They're a fantastic group – I really looking forward to helping out at their rehearsals every Wednesday. This new facility is going to make a big difference, not just to them but the whole community.
"Before, it was a real struggle for disabled cast members and audience members to access the centre."