AN AWARD-WINNING charity praised by David Cameron has announced Bicester as the latest town to give adults with learning disabilities a fresh start.

Oxfordshire charity My Life My Choice will hold an open day next Friday at the Bicester Early Intervention Hub, at The Courtyard Youth Arts Centre, with a view to agreeing a monthly date with residents for future meetings.

The charity currently runs self-advocacy groups across the county including monthly meetings in Oxford, Abingdon, Banbury, Chipping Norton, Didcot and Henley.

Now the charity’s group co-ordinator Patricia Sebert has set her sights on starting the group in Bicester because she felt the town did not offer enough to adults with learning disabilities.

The 31-year-old, who has lived in Cowley for nine years, said: “For me it is about giving people the opportunity to get out of the house and be with people and plan what they need.

“A lot of people with learning difficulties are staying at home watching TV. This gives them the opportunity to get out and gain so much confidence by sharing experiences.

“They may have problems but will not have anyone to share them with. Here they realise they are not by themselves.”

The charity, which won the prime minister’s Big Society Award in 2013, was praised for helping to make a huge difference to communities throughout Oxfordshire.

The group, whose major funders include Oxfordshire County Council and Comic Relief, will run a monthly nightclub, self-help groups and training for independent travel.

My Life My Choice spokesman Kate Evans said Bicester was chosen because they did not believe there was enough support for adults with learning disabilities.

The open day will take place from 10.30am to 1.30pm.

For more information, visit mylifemychoice.org.uk.