Jessica-Jane Applegate planting a tree at the newly opened Applegate House

Norfolk’s Paralympic golden girl has had her name immortalised with the opening of a special building names in her honour.

Gold medallist Jessica-Jane Applegate travelled to Barton upon Humber near Grimsby last week to open the building, which will cater for people coping and dealing with learning difficulties and Aspergers syndrome.

An Aspergers sufferer herself, her mum Dawn said she was “over the moon” to carry out the opening.

Applegate House is a large building with six self-contained flats plus communal areas with round the clock staff to help support or just reassure the residents. The organisation, Options Group, provides specialist care to people with Autistic spectrum conditions, learning disabilities and complex needs.

Applegate House provides a stepping stone for individuals who are ready and wish to move out of higher dependency residential services into community based homes.

At the official opening, a prepared statement from Jessica-Jane was read out by Options director Russell Lees, head of the adult autism service, which said: “In training/competition there are very few people who really understand how hard it is for me.

“I really struggle to cope with people socially. I don’t like any changes and trying to concentrate on more than one thing is so difficult but my coach is very understanding.

“We have a timetable for everything so I have a good routine, we make plans to keep calm and we always have a backup plan so I feel safe.”

Jessica-Jane’s statement added: “We do everything we can to make things go smoothly but this doesn’t always work and sometimes I just can’t cope. Some people think they are helping when they try talking to me but it just makes me feel worse so I have to go home.

“Having space away from everyone works for me, I actually enjoyed being sent to isolation at school, ha ha!”

Jessica-Jane planted an apple tree in the gardens and unveiled a plaque inside the building to officially open it.

Des Crump, the registered manager at Applegate House, explained: “We put out a request to young people and staff and someone came up with naming the building after Jessica in recognition of her achievements at the Paralympics. It was lovely to meet her and lovely to get her perspective on her condition.

“Our residents are truly inspired by her and we are very proud to have her involved.”

Options Group is a provider of specialist services for children, young people and adults with autistic spectrum conditions (ASC), learning disabilities and complex needs; and behavioural, emotional and social difficulties (BESD). Established in 1999, they provide specialist care, education and therapy to a total of over 200 children, young people and adults.