Category: Uncategorized

We are thrilled to announce that we have now met our £35,000 for 35 years target!

A HUGE thank you goes to everyone who donated to the campaign. Every single one of you have been vital in ensuring that the Bridgend Centre remains open six days per week for anyone who needs us.

Tomorrow’s car wash at the Rec is cancelled due to lack of available workers. See you next week!

Did you know that over one million people donate their time nationally to be a Trustee? This week is Trustees Week and we should celebrate the people who take on the responsibility and give up their time to ensure that the charity sector continues to support the most worthy causes in our society.

A huge thanks goes to our Board of Trustees who support us every day of the year without looking for any personal recognition or reward apart from the satisfaction that they are helping their community.

The Bridgend Centre is currently looking to recruit two new Trustees. Do you have some skills and experience that you think you could bring to the table? Click here for more information: https://bridgendcentre.org.uk/could-you-help-shape-the-future-of-the-bridgend-centre/

The Bridgend Centre was dismayed to hear that Bollington Town Council is considering pulling out of the contract they have agreed with Cheshire East Council to keep Pool Bank car park free to use for residents and visitors to Bollington.

As a vital and unique charity situated in the heart of our town but without our own parking on site, the Bridgend Centre views the car park at Pool Bank as essential to being able to provide our services. Each week hundreds of visitors come to use the centre, which is open 6 days a week, either for a browse in our popular charity shop or to access one of our many services. Their visit could be as simple as having a cup of tea in our café and a chat with a community worker or attending a class or workshop, maybe they are heading out on one of our guided walks which take place at least twice a week. Visitors include those who are isolated, elderly, with poor health or struggling with their mental health as well as those who love our shop, the wonderful welcoming atmosphere and ethos of the centre.

We have written to Bollington Town Council with some points we want to ask Councillors to consider ahead of the debate tonight:

1. The charity sector nationally and locally is under ever increasing pressure to provide services that fill gaps in the caring sectors but without receiving any government or local authority support.

2. Grants and funding sources are oversubscribed 10-fold, which adds to the pressure to keep our head above water financially.

3. The Bridgend Centre operates with a small staff team and a team of volunteers. Some are Bollington based but many travel from outside the town and due to the poor public transport need to come to the centre by car. Adding paid parking will add over a thousand pounds a year to a full-time member of staff’s personal costs.

4. Many of those accessing our services as visitors will also struggle with the car park becoming paid, it is a barrier to them receiving the support they need.

5. Have Councillors considered how they could fund permits instead of providing the whole car park for free via the Cheshire East contract?

6. We have heard mention of 30 mins free, and whilst any subsidy is welcome at the Bridgend Centre we are worried this will make a visitor rush to get back to their car, they may spend less in the shop (thus reducing a vital income stream) or may not have time to chat properly with a community worker.

7. What could BTC do to support the Bridgend Centre as we face this barrier to people accessing our services?

8. We are grateful for the long history of BTC supporting the Bridgend Centre, from the early days when the original Drop-in centre operated out of the Town Hall before BTC worked with us to help us buy the building and includes continued support via the grants process.

We asked council to please consider how they can find a way to keep Pool Bank as a free resource for all.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y0qlp3y04o

The work on our building is progressing nicely. So much so that the scaffolding will be coming down this coming Saturday 25th October. Therefore we will need to remain closed for safety purposes.

While there is still a lot to do, it is great to have reached this milestone!

Apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Our longer walk on Saturday 18th October, ‘Ramble above Rainow’ will explore the gorgeous scenery of Rainowlow, Rainow and Kerridge.

At 7 miles in length, it has a difficulty rating of 4 boots so requires a reasonable level of fitness. Starting from the Bridgend Centre at 10:15am.

Our Shuttle to the Shops programme for October to December has now been released! Contact us to book your place(s). This service is open to all.

01625 576311, info@bridgendcentre.org.uk, message us or drop in in person.

We have an exciting new range of Bridgend Centre souvenirs available to purchase in our Centre. Including a coaster, keyring and fridge magnet of the lovely image of the Bridgend Centre by Adam Francis Illustrator. All produced for us at the Oakwood Centre at The Rossendale Trust #workinginpartnership