The Greenway Centre cuts school holiday hunger sessions amid cash drop

A Nottingham community centre manager says clients will "have to get used" to cutting back sessions during school holidays amid a drop in funding. Nottingham City Council's effective declaration of bankruptcy in November 2023 has seen many of the organisations supported by the authority struggle.

Among them is The Greenway Centre in Sneinton, which usually puts on programmes during the school holidays where children can take part in activities and have access to food and drink throughout the day. A combination of city council cuts and rising energy costs meant these sessions did not take place in the February half-term - and they will not be taking place in the May holidays either.

Rosemary Fearon, the manager of the centre, said: "We didn't have a February half-term session this year for the first time in 12 years. We've had to cancel it due to lack of funding. Unfortunately, it's something we will have to get used to I'm afraid.

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"We've been doing this for years, during the holiday we always go bowling, in the summer we always try to do a family trip to the seaside."

The centre has been running for 30 years and several of its employees and volunteers once attended its school holiday sessions.

Nadia Whittome, the Labour MP for Nottingham East, who recently donated £2,000 to the centre, said: "It's a fantastic space which runs an activities club for children, a weekly food bank and holiday hunger programmes. I'm glad to be able to support it."

The Greenway Centre is hoping to raise £10,000 to be able to continue to deliver other programmes and is currently accepting donations on its website. Those wishing to donate can do so here.