Community kindness secures future of Bacup Family Centre amid closure threat

Thanks to the support of individuals, businesses and grants, Bacup Family Centre has stemmed its closure threat and is now in a much stronger position.

In October last year, the charity, which works throughout Rossendale, was facing a funding crisis and was set to close in March. However, the community rallied round with new donors providing everything from £5 to £150 a month which helped secure grants towards costs.

Project Manager Leila Allen said: “We have gone from things looking very bleak, when we were using all our reserves just to keep going, to being successful in attracting community support. We took on The Station in Bacup centre a year ago, in response to local need to provide a place for young people to meet.”

The family centre secured a six-month Government Cost of Living grant administered by the National Lottery Community Fund, then attracted a Trust House grant for three years, a National Lottery bid for five years and a three-year grant from the Church of England Council for Social Aid.

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Although these funds are significant, Leila stressed there is still a shortfall and so reserves are still being used. Leila said: “Our largest costs are salaries, rent and running costs because our services are always free to those who need us; if we can’t respond to need, then why are we here?

“We have just received £2,000 from the Mayor of Rossendale Councillor Andrew Walmsley’s fund and we have doubled the number of individual monthly donors who provide unrestricted funds for the centre. We now have regular support from local businesses Red, James Steel Security, Bacup Business Association and an anonymous business, the nurses from Irwell Medical Practice walked the three Yorkshire Peaks and raffles and collections have been held.

“The Valley is so generous, £1 donated by the local community enables us to double or treble that donation from grant funders. The National Lottery was so impressed by the support we receive from the local community.”

Two new employees are now being recruited to strengthen the family support services. Leila added: “Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the last year.”

Bacup Family Centre owes its origins to the Sisters of the Good Shepherd Nuns who worked on the council estate 60 years ago.

Since 2021, the family centre has been based on the top floor of the ABD Centre in Bacup town centre.

If you can help the centre contact enquiries@bacupfamily centre.co.uk