A mum is passionate about a project to transform a former church into a community centre for children and families with SEND

Melissa Bullen's five-year-old son is autistic and she has personal experience of the need for a centre where special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) families can access support, activities, respite and education.

Melissa is leading the Liquorice Lane Family SEND Hub heritage project to transform and extend the former Church of The Holy Family on Chequerfield Road, Pontefract.

She has secured an initial £20,000 from the Architectural Heritage Fund and has applied for funding from Historic England and the Bramall Foundation. Persimmon Homes has also donated £1,500.

The Grade II-listed 1960s building is a former Catholic church which has stood empty since 2008.

Melissa said: "The demand for SEND support for families is huge. There are no other spaces in the area like this.

"I do recognise the need for it. The support is lacking. Friends that have children with autism all go through the same thing, especially during the school holidays."

Melisa said classroom space is planned to bridge the gap for SEND children who can't attend school full-time.

A speech and language therapy room is planned plus a large play area and a hydrotherapy pool and an outdoor sensory area.

A kitchen, cafe and charity shop are proposed to generate cash and create employment opportunities for SEND teenagers.

An upstairs teenage zone is planned alongside a staff room.

The plans include an extension of the former church building.

Melissa said: "I believe in it and I can see it. What better way to repurpose a building."

Melissa, who worked in the NHS for 18 years, started out as a care worker and was working as a paramedic when she took a career break five years ago to care for her son.

She said: "I want it to be a site where other charities can use the space. We could have a tenant who is a SEND education provider.

"We would work with schools so they can use the site so kids that can't manage mainstream school full time can spend some time here and get support."

Melissa said: "The long-term aim is to create a sustainable, community-run hub that will support local families for generations to come."

The project is being delivered entirely through grants, donations and community fundraising.

Bauman Lyons Architects has completed concept design work on the project.

Melissa said: "Alongside the architectural work, we have continued to develop the charity and build a strong network of professional, community and business support around the project.

"NOVA Wakefield District has continued to support us as our local voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) infrastructure organisation, providing guidance as both the charity and the project have developed."