Pictured: James Woodward
Derby based Umbrella, a local registered charity working to
improve services and facilities for children and young people with
disabilities and their families, has moved to new premises with the
help of a law firm in the city, Nelsons.
James Woodward, an associate and commercial property law
specialist at Nelsons, provided legal advice on the completion of
the acquisition of 64 Birdcage Walk from Derby City Council.
The work was provided through the voluntary professional
advice and support scheme, ProHelp.
"We were delighted to be able to assist Umbrella in acquiring
their new headquarters," says James. "The move is enabling the
charity to expand and develop its range of services, which will
generate vital new income towards running costs and secure its
future in the city and Southern Derbyshire. It will also
create new full time jobs and opportunities for voluntary staff
that help to deliver Umbrella's invaluable services within Southern
Derbyshire. We wish them every success in their new
home."
Commenting on the acquisition, which was made possible by a
grant from the Derby City Council's Aiming High Programme, Adrian
Dewhurst, business manager at Umbrella says: "We are so grateful to
James and the team at Nelsons who supported us with the
acquisition. This saved us valuable costs which we have been able
to invest in the property, to allow a high standard of
accessibility and additional equipment for disability support. It
has also assisted us in setting up a new service for young disabled
adults in the area of the transition from children's to adult
services. Without the assistance of Nelsons we would also have
faced significant delays in acquiring and moving into our new
home.
"Essential to achieving our goal at Birdcage Walk was the
support and expertise available to us from Nelsons. Receiving
help from the firm through ProHelp, along with Chartered Surveyors,
Milner McCrea and GCA Consulting, who conducted a survey, was
invaluable but also meant that we were able to utilise savings on
the supply of professional services to equip and make adjustments
to the building to suit the needs of our disabled users."
Working in partnership with our local authorities, Derbyshire
and Derby City Council's Children's and Young People's Department,
NHS Primary Care Trust and other voluntary organisations, Umbrella
offers practical support for families, children and young people by
recruiting volunteers to work with families. Established over 25
years ago, projects provided by the charity include a Side by Side,
befriending scheme, Holiday Playschemes, Play and Leisure Services,
1:1 support in the home or community settings, and a Family Support
and Information Service.
For more information about Nelsons, please visit their website
here: www.nelsonslaw.co.uk