COLLEAGUES and residents of a support centre in Andover unveiled a plaque in memory of a woman who managed the site for more than three decades.

Yvonne Bradbury was the manager of the Andover Crisis and Support Centre (ACSC), where she helped people from all walks of life in their time of greatest need. She is credited with making the centre what it is today, providing outreach, accommodation and counselling.

The campaigner died in February last year following a short battle with Covid.

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On Thursday, September 1, colleagues and residents of ACSC met in the garden of the centre and unveiled a plaque in her memory.

John Barlow, a trustee for ACSC, said: "Yvonne's contribution to ACSC was immeasurable. She was dedicated to helping the thousands of people who were supported by ACSC during her leadership, and her passion for helping others and her drive to get things done inspired clients and staff alike."

Under her leadership, she expanded the services available to those in need in Test Valley, including the acquisition of larger refuge premises and move-on properties; Counselling services; Outreach to support people within the community; the delivery of therapeutic programmes to help clients on their journey; and educational work in schools and colleges regarding healthy relationships.

Two of Yvonne's long-serving colleagues – Elaine Oates and Fe Kay – assisted with the unveiling. Between the three of them, they have more than 70 years of service to ACSC.

The plaque was designed by Joanna Dewfall, a local professional mosaic artist who works with communities and schools to create legacy artworks (dewfallmosaic.co.uk). 

Yvonne's family were involved in the design of the plaque, and colleagues and refuge residents came together in a workshop run by Joanna to build the mosaic. 

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Yvonne was born in 1951. Along with her sister Valerie, with whom she had a “very close relationship”, she formed a big part of the wider family. She was a trailblazer in her 20s as one of only two female grain traders in the UK when she worked for Kenneth Wilson Corn Merchants, now KW Alternative Feeds.

In the 1980s, she joined the Andover Crisis and Support Centre. The centre provides drop in and outreach facilities for all, as well as residential accommodation for women and children who have experienced domestic abuse.

They can be contacted on 0333 242 2055.