Second Chance Headway: Wakefield charity urges council to 'consider the third sector' over The Ridings demolition plan
A Wakefield charity, based next to The Ridings, has raised concerns over the announcement that the shopping centre is to be demolished.
Second Chance Headway is one of the charities based next to The Ridings who have received a letter from Wakefield Council informing them about proposals to demolish shopping centre to make way for a “vibrant new quarter” to include new homes, leisure facilities and spaces for events.
The charity facilitates a range of therapeutic and social group sessions for people affected by brain injury.
The therapy centre has 111 service users and supports their families and delivers 128 sessions a week and the community hub supports around 290 people across the Wakefield district every year.
The charity also operates a community-based casework service across West Yorkshire and recently received a Community Impact Award.
Nathan Garbutt-Moore, Senior Management at charity, said “I strongly urge Wakefield Council to consider the implications of any proposals on third sector organisations like us.
"The prolonged impact of austerity, the pandemic and an ongoing cost of living crisis mean that demand for services continues to rise.
"Funding from local authorities and trusts have increasingly become less available, charitable giving has declined to the lowest level since tracking began.
"Costs are dramatically up – not least because of the rise in employers’ national insurance contributions from last April and now we are faced with the news that we have relocation costs and probably higher rent.”
In response, Mark Lynam, Corporate Director for Regeneration and Economic Growth, at Wakefield Council, said: “We understand it is an unsettling time for tenants of the Ridings Shopping Centre, including Second Chance Headway, as the proposals for the Cathedral Quarter directly affect them.
“We are committed to working with third sector organisations and businesses, to help those that want to, to stay in the city.
"Although it is too soon to provide details, we can assure them support will be made available.
“We will be in touch with Second Chance Headway directly to discuss their particular circumstances.”
Mr Garbutt-Moore said: “We want to reassure everyone that our services will continue, and we are committed to making the transition as smooth as possible.”
For more information about the charity and support for brain injury visit www.secondchancewakefield.com