By Community Correspondent Rosie Saxe- 8.30 am and I swing into the Literary Institute, past the tea bar and head straight to the hall for my daily dance class. 9.45 am and my class finishes so I shoot out of the hall and head off to my next lesson, not giving a second thought to the Literary Institute or what happens there. It only dawned on me the other day, after a whole year of using the hall, that I have never really visited the tea bar or taken an interest in the people there. So a week or so ago I decided to go in and introduce myself and find out more.

I learnt that Fairways day centre in Staines provides the mentally handicapped with the opportunity to become involved with work projects including the Egham Tea Bar that I pass every day. Here I spoke to Marge Taylor, supervisor, who told me about the various opportunities Fairways gives to the handicapped. I had no idea how beneficial the facility was, nor how much support and opportunity there were for handicapped people until now. The tea bar gives them the opportunity to work together in the kitchen, serve the public and be able to be independent in a working environment. It became clear from talking to Sarah Hagerty, Natalie Wild and Julie Shaw who work there one day per week, just how much they enjoy helping out.

With teas for 50p, warm scones, toasties and indulgent chocolatey treats, I strongly recommend that instead of simply walking past, you pop into the tea bar, and enjoy the goodies, and most importantly, meet some very inspiring individuals.