A major South London centre, which stood underused for years, has been dramatically transformed into a comprehensive support hub for young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The Sutton Life Centre on Stonecot Hill officially reopened last week as a collaborative "one-stop-shop," providing crucial local services that families previously had to travel outside the borough to access.
A New Chapter for Community and Education
The revamped facility now hosts a new Preparation for Adulthood (PFA) Hub, designed to help young people with SEND develop independence, confidence, and skills for employment and daily life. It also includes the Beans and Bloom café, run by trainees from local disability skills provider Nickel Support, and a brand-new campus for Orchard Hill SEND College.
Orchard Hill College, the largest SEND academy in the country, now offers 72 places for local students at the site, delivering qualifications, skills training, and work experience in a fully refitted and accessible environment. The centre continues to house the community library and sports facilities.
At the opening event on 26 November, guests enjoyed refreshments from the new café and a rap performance by Brit School student Vierra. Orchard Hill College student Emily Godman, from Cheam, said the centre "feels very homely." Another young person, Kayleigh, who cut the red ribbon, expressed excitement about the new opportunities, hoping to volunteer and spend time with friends there.
Addressing a Critical Local Need
Stonecot Liberal Democrat councillor Rob Beck hailed the launch as an example of "true collaboration." He emphasised the scarcity of SEND spaces at further education level, noting that without this provision, many young people would face journeys to places like Reigate, Bromley, or Croydon.
"We had the space here, but it needed repurposing," Beck explained, referencing the centre's decline in use. He revealed that annual visitor numbers had dropped to as low as 2,000 in 2019, far short of the original 40,000 target. The repurposing is expected to significantly reduce council spending on SEND transport for out-of-borough placements.
Kelly Phillips, Executive Principal of Orchard Hill College, called the centre a "pioneering development" born from community partnership. "This collaboration has delivered an innovative space... setting a new standard for post-16 SEND provision," she stated.
From 'Dead' Space to Vibrant Community Heart
Originally opened in 2010 by then-Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg at a cost of £8 million (half from a government MyPlace grant, half from Sutton Council), the building was designed as a state-of-the-art eco-friendly hub. However, its original features, like a projection room, became obsolete, and post-pandemic recovery of school bookings never materialised.
Local charity workers Charlie Millett of The Fantastic Freddie Foundation and Robbie Keen of Keen 2 Go, who will lead community activities, said the transformation has revitalised a building that felt "dead for years." They praised the improved acoustics, noting that true accessibility "isn’t just about ramps and lifts."
The pair plan to host activities shaped by young people, including gaming nights, sports sessions, and DJ workshops. Keen highlighted that isolation remains a major issue for SEND families, a problem deepened by pandemic habits. Millett described the new offer as a vital "one-stop shop," with their first activity scheduled for 3 December.
The permanent presence of the college, PFA Hub, and café is now set to bring sustained new life to the building, securing the future of its community library and creating a dedicated, welcoming space for Sutton's SEND community under one roof.
