AGE UK Mid Devon will be helping even more in the community after announcing they will be purchasing the site of The Haven Centre, home to their popular activity day centre in Tiverton.

It marks the culmination of a year of negotiations with Devon County Council, who have worked hard to ensure that the site is available for continued use by the community.

The charity hopes to develop the site, adding a suite of offices and meeting rooms, as well as refurbishing the activity day centre.

Chief officer, Deborah Bridger-Elerick, said: “We are thrilled to be opening a new chapter in the history of this long-running and well-respected local charity.

“We have worked closely with Devon County Council in securing the site as a long-term base for our organisation, and are grateful to them for the recognition of the valued services that we provide to older people in Mid Devon.

“We will continue to offer our existing services from our Tiverton base, but we are also expanding what we offer to better suit the needs of all of our potential clients.

“We are launching a range of ‘hubs’ in towns and villages around Mid Devon, sending our trained advisors and volunteers out to meet people in their own towns, rather than expecting them to come to our Tiverton offices .

“We are renewing our focus on the ‘preventative ’ health agenda, and will be working with partner or - ganisations including the CCG and AcTiv Devon on helping the over 50s stay fit and active, helping nip health problems in the bud.”

The activity da y care centre will be open three daysa week, from Wednesday to Friday, rather than the current five .

Haven Centre manager Simone Phillips , said: “The changes are demand-led.

“By streamlining the days we provide day care we ca n maintain the same caring, fun environment, but expand the range and variety ofactivities and events we can hold at the Centre on the other days of the week, to cater to a wider clientbase.”