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The Cintre Center
How many times on your way to an evening out, shopping or just cruising along the coast road to Clevedon have you passed a sign announcing Harbour House, The Cintre Centre and wondered what activities were carried out there.
Is it some sort of commune? A religious sect. Or maybe some kind of community centre. Well. You are wrong on all three. 
 Faith Sax and her husband from Clifton established the Cintre Centre in 1977 to provide residential and support housing for young people aged around 16-35 with learning difficulties and behaviour problems. Primarily they are providing a structured and caring environment to help individuals manage their own lives. Harbour house was bought in 1988 from Mr and Mrs Lynn, who after a short period living near the Marina, have moved to the North Country. The house situated in Redcliffe Bay with six accommodations and is staffed 24 hours a day. 
Jackie Mears, The General Manager explained that although the centre is a registered charity it is financed almost completely by Dept of Social Security and not by public collections or donations. This is because “clients” are referred to the centre by Social Services and then the centre decides on the suitability of each referral.
They are given a structured programme and environment as near as possible to a family existence and are provided with help in learning everyday social skills needed to enable the client to rejoin the community.The clients are encouraged to intercommunicate and have regular meals around the kitchen table. 
Professor James Mitchell is retiring soon and encourages members of the local community to become involved in the charity’s activities. Jim can be contacted on 01275 817153
 or for further information about the centre ring Jackie on 01179 239979.Photo on right: Jackie Mears, James Mitchell and John Miller Article by John Miller |