Community group in Launceston appeal for £40,000 to save site
The Gateway Centre is at risk of closing by the end of April without urgent funding
A community centre in Launceston is appealing for £40,000 to save their centre from closure due to soaring energy costs.
The Gateway Centre on Madford Lane warns they're at risk of closing by the end of April unless urgent funding from within the community can be found.
It was first set up in 2013 by Gateway Church to be a place where social needs such as isolation, loneliness and poor mental health could be met by welcoming everyone in and signposting them to the correct advisors and multi-agencies.
The centre has a large community café that provides free hot meals/drinks on a daily basis to the homeless, sofa surfing and jobless. They also run various free community clubs including a writing group, gardening club and crafts.
They've set a target of two weeks to attempt to raise this money and warn they'll have "no choice" but to shut the Gateway Centre at the end of April, if it's not reached.
Rev. Kevin Pickup, Project Lead for the Gateway Centre said: "Until now, we have always relied on the users of the centre to help ensure that our bills have been paid and that we have been good stewards of our finances. Sadly, our fixed costs, such as energy bills are projected to go up by £70,000 this financial year.
"As we look to extend the lease on the Gateway Centre with Cornwall Council, we have been unable to apply for much needed funding to help support the activities that take place within the project. Once a new lease is signed, it is hoped that we will then be able to seek the necessary funding and continue to be a much-needed support to many in our community."
With no other 'Day Centre' provision in the Launceston area, many adults and young people with neurodiversity and other disabilities attend the clubs, groups and cafe to offer them choice, inclusivity and acceptance. Many support workers are able to bring their clients/residents to the centre for fun, laughter and friendship.
Kevin added: "For this to happen, we need to urgently raise £40,000 to help keep the project viable for the next six months while we sign a new lease and seek funding. We have set ourselves a target of two weeks to attempt to raise this money, otherwise we will have no choice but to shut the Gateway Centre at the end of April. We know that this will be a huge loss to the community and the groups who currently use the project."
There are other groups and classes the community uses the centre for, such as Community Money Advice Launceston, 'With You', ILift Gym, Trina's Tots child day care, Little Red Bus, Turning the Cogs, Army Cadets, Table Tennis, Launceston Home Ed Choir and LYMT to name but a few.