On Thursday 17th May 2007, we were all delighted when HRH The Countess of Wessex visited Warley to open The SNAP Centre.

The Countess of Wessex flew in by helicopter with Lord Petre and was greeted by the Mayor of Brentwood, the Mayoress and Eric Pickles MP.  The Countess was invited into the building by SNAP Chairman Nicola Hitchcock and Manager Hilary Needham.

Hilary then took the Countess on a tour of The SNAP Centre during which she met SNAP's staff and volunteers.

The Countess was most interested in the specially equipped multi-sensory room and spoke to families and volunteers.  


Hilary then took the Countess to the first floor training room where she chatted to volunteers and parents and she then met some young people in the special needs IT Suite.

The Royal Party returned to the children's activity hall where the Countess spoke to some of the charity's supporters who had funded the new premises project. 

The Countess made a hearfelt speech congratulating SNAP on its work and thanking everyone who had supported the project for their generosity, which had made the wonderful new SNAP Centre possible.  The Countess then unveiled a commemorative plaque to commemorate the Royal Visit and the official opening of The SNAP Centre.

At the end of her visit the Countess received a posy of flowers from Rosie.

After the visit, our Manager Hilary commented to local reporters, "the Countess was extremely interested in our new centre and the work that we are carrying out to help Essex families who have children with special needs and disabilities.  She was lovely to talk to and had a genuine empathy with the parents and children.  We were so pleased that she could come to open our new building.  We are also immensely grateful to everyone who has supported this project and made The SNAP Centre a reality."