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Community centre fundraising to stay open

BBC Three members of the staff of the centre stood in front of the entrance. It's a concrete and strong building with large glass doors. The three woman in the from are stood together looking at the camera. Two of them have blonde hair and one of them has grey hair. A bicycle is parked by the main entrance. BBC
The centre offers a wide range of activities for people of all ages

A community hub in Devon is fundraising to keep its doors open due to rising running costs and a lack of available support.

The Alice Cross Centre in Teignmouth has provided food, support and activities for vulnerable and elderly residents for nearly 50 years.

Charity trustee Paul Howard said the centre had lost £8k to £10k in grant income per month, which along with rising energy costs means the centre needs to find £10k per month.

He said the centre could run out of money in six months if it can't raise enough through new fundraising initiatives.

"Closing could be a real possibility which would be heart-breaking for the community and the centre staff and visitors," he said.

"We have approximately 400 visitors per week. If we do not raise the funds we have a small reserve that would disappear in six months."

The trustees and centre staff are pushing to increase donations and encourage monthly subscriptions to increase cash flow.

Mr Howard said: "This is being targeted at local individuals initially but we will be focusing on local businesses to increase awareness of our plight and offer partnership opportunities to sponsor particular activities or donate and subscribe generally towards the centre's income and maintenance."

'Means the world'

The centre was opened by its namesake Alice Cross in 1978 as a place to make sure people didn't feel lonely in Teignmouth.

Former centre manager and volunteer, Viv Wilson, said: "If she could look down and see that there was a possibility [of closure] despite the loss to our community, I think it would truly break her heart."

She added: "To the people that come here it means the world.

"It's a reason to get out of bed, the reason to put a bit of make up on and a nice jacket or a nice top.

"Go and meet their friends have a coffee, have a chat, play a game, listen to music, do a dance have a lunch."

'Get some satisfaction'

Centre user Fran Cragg said she hoped more people will take advantage of what it can offer.

"Food wise, company wise, the dementia clinic, all the different clubs, there is really a lot going on," she said.

"If people would only come and see for themselves and get some satisfaction, nobody needs to be at home and be lonely."

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