Threat to Epsom PHAB - Please sign their Petition.

PHAB brings young people with and without disabilities together on equal terms. PHAB is a national voluntary organisation established over 50 years ago which now has nearly 200 clubs plus other activities.

Epsom Phab is an inclusive youth club with members age 8 to 16 and young volunteers age 14 to 20. Some members have physical disabilities, some have learning difficulties and some are able bodied. They all get together and have fun, on equal terms, every Friday evening at the Linton Youth Centre in Epsom.

It's a great club - well the Queen thinks so anyway! Epsom & Ewell Phab was given the Queen's Jubilee Award for voluntary groups and has featured on the Queen's Christmas broadcast.

However it's now under threat and Epsom Phab are asking people to sign a petition to save their club.

This is because Surrey County Council have decided to relinquish their lease on the Linton Youth Centre by 31 December 2012. The current owners intend to sell the site to another developer who wants to build new houses. Under the terms of Epsom & Ewell's Local Plan, a suitable alternative site has to be provided for youth activities in Epsom.

Surrey County Council cabinet members have agreed that council officers should secure suitable alternative premises for their own services for young people and other user groups including Phab. A task group is being established, including local councillors, council officers, young people and a representative of Phab.

However it will not be easy to find somewhere suitable for Phab and the time available is short. So Phab is urging supporters to sign their petition calling on SCC to ensure that Epsom Phab is found a suitable meeting place that has plenty of indoor and outdoor space and is:

• Totally accessible.
• Very secure.
• In Epsom & Ewell.
• Affordable.