The Shildon People’s Centre, 20 Main Street, was recently approved as a registered Charity. The Centre is managed by a group of volunteer trustees, who have seen considerable growth since they took over the running of the Centre in June of this year, after the previous management decided to close the centre.
A spokesman for the Shildon People’s Centre said, ‘A lot of people thought we could not keep the doors open, and keep services running for those dependant on them. We were disappointed when none of the previous volunteers offered to work with us, but they had been through a rough time, and we can all understand their disappointment on not winning funding bids. There was a lot said about the County Council, but as tax payers, we did not realise how much the council was pumping into the centre to help pay the £100,000 wage bill. With no ‘golden bucket’ the subsidy by the Council was unsustainable. Staff costs at the centre now amount to less than £5,000. This goes to show what can be achieved on a tight budget. All services that were available at the centre prior to June this year are still available, although some like the counselling service and the mini bus are run from different locations. The counselling service is run from a local doctors surgery, which is an improvement to the people using it, since the premises are more accessible.’
‘We are indebted to the help and support of both the County and Town Councils.’
The centre cafe provides snacks and a thriving luncheon club see the many regulars fed with a hot meal for around £3.00 The youth work continues, as does the Recall Society, MP Surgeries, and in the near future counselling and education are set to return.
Anyone interested in Education courses at the centre, which range from languages to basic computing, and DIY plumbing to cake decoration,should contact the centre on 01388 777948 or email info@spcentre.org,uk. The centre has a website at http://www.spcentre.org.uk
