When the Waddington Street Centre celebrated its 40th anniversary three years ago it provided a front-line safe haven every week for 120 members, all struggling with the crippling stress of modern living, including the tensions of Covid.
Today staff at the centre, in the north of the city, report 200 people now seek support, placing their board under mounting pressure to “take serious action” to cut costs and explore new ways of generating income.
Measures already taken include tapping into reserves, a move which will impact service delivery.
At the core of the centre’s work is a 20-strong team of volunteers, all striving to relieve members home life worries, illness or community conflict through the implementation of a wide range of informal educational activities.
During the enforced closures of the Covid epidemic the centre was given a major face-lift, supported in part by the freemen. The current rise in member numbers reflects the widespread national rise in demand for mental health support.
The freemen’s charitable trust has now responded with a £2,000 gift, already earmarked to help fund a support worker’s role.
Centre manager Ali Lee said: “We are once again in the debt of the freemen whose donation will support an additional member of staff. Quality is at the heart of what we do and having enough with the relevant skills is absolutely key to making this happen. Access to our services increases members’ independence and resilience – equipping them with the tools for self-care and development to move on.”
Charitable trust member Alan Ribchester, said: “We are again delighted to help the centre, especially, like so many charities, they are facing the need to take action to cut costs.
“Their difficulties will, of course, have been increased by the recent increase in the employers’ National Insurance rate imposed in the budget. The centre offers a very significant level of help to its members and it is gratifying to be able to assist them once more.”
