Wellingborough charity forced to reduce opening hours due to funding issues

The Daylight Centre in High Street, Wellingborough, has been providing help for the homeless, lonely and vulnerable in the town for more than 20 years.

But while demand for its services is high, the centre has been forced to reduce its hours because of financial difficulties.

A message posted on the centre’s Facebook page said: “Sadly as of this week we have new opening hours.

“The day centre is open Monday to Thursday between 10.30am and 1.30pm and closed on Fridays.

“The foodbank will remain open Monday to Friday between 2pm and 4pm.

“We would like to be able to return to five days opening if funding becomes available.

“Thanks for your understanding.”

Speaking to the Northants Telegraph this week, manager Paul Adams said: “We probably have been the busiest we have been for a long time so to make that decision wasn’t easy at all.

“But where we are financially leaves us in a position where we would rather do what we can and do it really well over four days than stretch ourselves over five days.”
The Daylight Centre Fellowship is an independent charity which aims to meet various personal needs from mental health issues and drug and alcohol abuse to homelessness and isolation.

It also offers a hot meal, a warm place to meet and access to practical support such as sourcing benefits and work opportunities or simply using a telephone or the internet.

Mr Adams said: “We are trying to do what we can.

“It is three hours less each week.”

The decision to lose Friday was based on the days when the most people come in and when there is no other provision in the town.

Mr Adams added: “The key thing is finance so whether somebody can commit to a one-off gift, a standing order or corporate sponsorship would be great.

“We have an incredible team of volunteers, about 35 or 36, and they give up their time sacrificially.

“We couldn’t do it without them, but it’s not people time that we need, it’s money.

“We need the money for staffing, heating, lighting and all things like this.”

He added: “For us to run, it costs us about £400 a day.

“We open our doors 250 days a year at £400 so you end up with a figure of £100,000 a year.”

He said they were really grateful for a one-off grant from Wellingborough Council earlier this year to help cover the equivalent of six months’ rent.

And he said they get ‘incredible support’ from churches in the area because the centre was set up through the Mothers’ Union.

But they want to hear from anyone who may be able to help them return to at least five days of opening.

Anyone who can help can call the centre on 01933 446490 or email [email protected].

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