Bacup family centre closure threatened

Date published: 13/06/2008

A CENTRE which provides help and support for families in Rossendale may be forced to close.

Bacup Family Centre, Hawthorn Road, Bacup, is currently managed by national Christian childcare charity, Spurgeons, but from March 2009 their association with the project will end following a re-organisation.

The centre, which has supported thousands of children and parents for 16 years, runs pre-school clubs, parent and toddler groups, playgroups, creches, after-school clubs, and does contact visits and parent training.

It also does outreach work where families can call at any time for support and be put in touch with social and help services as well as providing help with house clearances and debt problems.

The centre, which requires approximately £83,000 a year to stay afloat, receives some sponsorship from individuals each month, but is now appealing to a range of organisations to invest so that they can continue to operate.

Project manager Leila Allen said: "Hundreds of people come through the centre every week and use the services. There is so much important work that goes on.

"We are currently looking at how we'll sustain the project and have already been in contact with churches, Rossendale Borough Council, Lancashire County Council and local businesses. We run lots of different fundraisers like coffee mornings and sponsored walks but we need money from anywhere and everywhere."

Bacup Family Centre will operate until November thanks to financial help from Rossendale-based landlord Greenvale Homes. It is the second time in a year that the centre has faced a serious threat of closure.

Coun Sean Serridge, praised the work that is undertaken at the centre. He said: "They do such a good job at the centre and it would be absolutely gutting if there is noting that can be done. I'm 100 per cent in support of them and I will be doing everything I can with the County Council to help out. It will be a really sad loss if they close.

If the centre is not able to find the required funding they will be forced to consider becoming an independent charitable organisation or even closing.