Mail launches campaign to save Barrow NSPCC
Last updated at 15:39, Friday, 16 October 2009
THE Evening Mail is today launching a campaign to save a centre which offers support to children who are victims of abuse.
Yesterday, the Evening Mail revealed the NSPCC is proposing to close its centre in Barrow and run its services in the north west from one central office.
The NSPCC South Cumbria centre operates SAFE, a service which helps victims of domestic abuse across the area, from its Walney Road base.
The Evening Mail understands it could close as early as March next year, with the possible loss of 11 jobs.
The campaign, dubbed ‘Save our NSPCC Centre’, has been launched in a bid to keep the charity’s base in Barrow.
Barrow Mayor Councillor Dorothy Dawes said: “I think people should get behind the campaign. The centre does a good job and we should do our best to keep it in Barrow.
“It is important that we have a centre based locally so people have somewhere they can go in the area.”
Pauline Charnley, chairwoman of the Four Groves Community Centre, said: “I have had families and children at the Four Groves who have worked with the NSPCC team in Barrow and I think the proposal to close the centre is absolutely ridiculous.
“I have seen first-hand the good work of the team.
“Why on earth don’t the government step in and do something about this? It is giving its money to the wrong people. The NSPCC is one of the country’s longest-established charities.
“It is diabolical to think that the centre could close. There is a real danger of kids falling through the cracks. These children are the future. I support the campaign fully and will do anything I can to help.”
NSPCC Furness Fundraisers group pledged its support to the campaign, but no-one was available for comment.
The NSPCC also confirmed there is a proposal in place to close the charity’s Wedgewood centre in Whitehaven.
A spokeswoman for the NSPCC said: “There is no other information available at this time, other than that the NSPCC is considering the SAFE service operating in the Barrow centre. It is early days at the moment it is just a proposal, but we will keep people updated.”
First published at 13:11, Friday, 16 October 2009
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
Safe domestic abuse dedicated staff changed my life and my childrens, it would be a crime to close it down.I would never of had the strength to get through the last 5 years if it wasent for them.
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The team at SAFE changed my life and the lives of my children. I don't know where we would be now if i hadn't had them to turn to, at best we would still be living with a monster and at worst my gorgeous children would be left without a mum. Where are people going to go if it's closed down? It's a very sad thought
Posted by J Marchant on 27 November 2009 at 21:53