Adventure Capital Fund investee, The Vassall Centre Trust, has been shortlisted for the Regeneration and Renewal (R&R) “Community-led organisation award.”

The Vassall Centre Trust is a charity led by disabled people. It is currently transforming its 43,000 sq ft building to make it totally barrier free for disabled people with different impairments.

In January 2006, the trust received an investment from the ACF through a £320,000 loan and a £130,000 grant, £80,000 of which is repayable through social outputs delivered by the Trust. ACF has also provided support and mentoring in financial management,and marketing and promotion.

Jonathan Lewis, Chief Executive of the Adventure Capital Fund, said: “It is great news to hear that such an inspiring community-led organisation is  getting recognition for the vital contribution it makes to the community.

“The ACF invested in The Vassall Centre Trust because we believed it had the potential to have a strong impact on the community, and create a great template for best-practice, which others could follow.”

The project has indeed been a great success, and the proportion of disabled people working in the Vassall Centre is now five times greater than the 3 per cent average figure cited by the Department for Work and pensions.

The award ceremony will take place at the Hurlingham Club in London on Thursday 18 September 2008.