A VITAL centre which supports hard-up families in Redditch is to close one of its offices due to funding cuts.
Reach CIC (community interest company) is to shut The Link office in Winyates Centre and transfer services to The Space unit nearby.
The Link, which offers access to 6Towns Credit Union, advice and free internet will close its doors for the final time today, Friday, July 7.
Liz Williams, for Reach CIC said: “Despite our best efforts we have been unable to win any funding to keep The Link open.
“The Link is a centre that provides free services to the most hard-pressed communities in Redditch.
“Agencies are happy to refer people to the services but are unable or reluctant to support it.”
And she said it was only due to county councillors Robin Lunn, Andy Fry, Pattie Lailey and Brandon Clayton dipping into their divisional funds that the Credit Union was able to continue.
The Space runs a variety of classes for local people to learn new skills and the decision will mean a change in timetable to accommodate the move.
However the decision also offers a sponsorship opportunity for any organisation or business happy to have their name attached to some of the many activities run from the centre.
In the year to April 30, 2017, 7,883 people used the services and activities provided by Reach CIC as funding cuts bite across the public sector resulted in an increasing reliance on organisations such as Reach CIC.
Any business interested in sponsorship can contact Liz on 01527 528340.
The Credit Union will continue as normal at other centres in Redditch: Woodrow library on Mondays, St Andrews Church in Matchborough on Wednesdays, Thursdays at the Ecumenical Centre and Fridays at Willow Trees in Church Hill, all from 9.30am to 12.30pm.
Available at The Space will be library, photocopying, afternoon Credit Union and other advice sessions on Mondays 2pm – 4.30pm, Tuesdays 9.30am – 12.30pm, Wednesdays 2pm – 4.30pm and Fridays 9.30am – 11.30am.
