Estates charity to close

31 October 2009

A 'LIFELINE' charity that has been run for 35 years will close next month because it cannot afford to keep going.

Five people will lose their jobs at the South Weston Community Association when it shuts on November 26.

The devastating news will also hit the hundreds of people who attend the sessions at the For All Healthy Living Centre in Lonsdale Avenue on the Bournville Estate.

Association chairman Bob Bateman said: "We just haven't been able to get any funding to keep going.

"A few residents have signed up for a standing order and we thank them for that, but we still couldn't get anywhere near enough donations to keep running.

"It's a lifeline for some of the elderly people who attend the lunch club, so to see it go is devastating."

The management committee took the decision at a meeting last week because the charity does not have enough reserves to apply for funding.

It needs £30,000 in the bank at all times to carry on, but a campaign to raise the cash, including asking residents to donate £6 each per year, fell well short of that figure.

Protesters held up banners outside the centre in a last ditch effort to try to save the café workers' jobs, but it was to no avail.

However, a final event will be held at the centre to raise money and boost the redundancy packages of the staff.

Reoffender and The Age are on the billing for the November 14 event, which is being staged to top-up two workers' payoffs and make up the entire compensation for the three others, who are not entitled to any redundancy money.

Mr Bateman said: "It's a chance for people who have been helped by the charity to say thank you and give a little bit back to the staff."

Centre manager Lesley Scally, who is one of the five to lose their jobs, said: "It's a sign of the times that it's so hard to get funding.

"It would be nice if people turned out for this event, because some of us won't get a payout without it and it's hard to find a new job at the moment."

The For All Healthy Living Centre, where the association is based, will continue operating, but the association's events and community café will cease.

The concert will run from 8pm-12.30am at the centre, with some of the proceeds going to the RNLI.

Tickets, priced £5, are available from Mr Bateman on 07771 887625 or John Bloomfield on 07957 367479.