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Family crisis at centre under threat

19/12/2001

HUNDREDS of families could lose vital services because of a funding crisis at a Little Hulton community centre.

The fate of the town's Women and Family Centre, used by over 14,000 people and offering everything from job training and counselling to tai chi and aromatherapy, now hangs in the balance as organisers wait to see whether they can get a new injection of European cash.

The area's Brook advisory service, which provides free contraceptives and confidential guidance to dozens of teenagers, is based there.

The centre, mainly run by volunteers, was founded in 1993 to provide a safe meeting place for women and youngsters. However, it has grown thanks to European cash and two years ago moved into the former Lloyds TSB site in the Hulton District Centre.

It recently benefited from a £20,000 grant from the bank, paying for running costs over two years, but the organisers believe this will not be enough.

The centre's European funding, which paid for three members of staff, ends on December 31 and organisers have until then to submit a bid for more cash. They must now wait three months to find out whether a new bid has been successful.

An £8,000 loan from the Walkden and Little Hulton community committee to bridge this gap has been turned down but organisers believe they will be able to survive on rent money from groups using the centre until a decision is made.

Management committee chairwoman Cath Weatherby said: "This place is a lifeline for a lot of people. There's an awful lot of things here. It'll be terrible if we have to close."

Cllr Doris Fernandez added: "Salford City Council is committed to ensuring the Little Hulton Women and Family Centre continues to serve the local community."