The Colne Open Door Centre in the Waterside Area of Colne is celebrating as it has received a grant worth £45,000 over three years to maintain the charity’s services for the community. The grant has been made by the Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales through its Community programme.
Operating in one of Colne’s most disadvantaged areas since 1998, the community café and drop-in centre works with individuals, voluntary groups and public bodies to help improve the quality of life in Colne. The community café provides affordable and healthy meals for visitors, whilst the drop-in service offers support and advice on a wide range of problems. Over 1600 people approached the Open Door Centre last year seeking information about debt, housing, advocacy, drugs and alcohol misuse, benefits and countless other concerns. If the Centre cannot provide help they have excellent connections within the community to find out who can.
The staff of the Colne Open Door Centre are supported by a team of ten to twelve volunteers. These placements provide work experience and training to individuals who may have been excluded from work in the past. Previous volunteers have included people with learning difficulties, mental health issues, drug or alcohol problems or those serving on Community Service. Many of the volunteers leave the centre with new qualifications in IT, first aid or food hygiene.
Dawn Lange manager at the Colne Open Door Centre commented, “We provide a range of services here at the centre, but many of our visitors just want to come in for a warm meal and someone to talk to and we are more than happy to offer that. This grant establishes a bit of stability for the years ahead which will let us get on with helping the people of Colne.”
Lloyds TSB Foundation grant manager for Lancashire and North Manchester, Yvonne Taylor added, “The Open Door name of this charity says it all. They offer a warm and welcoming place for people to come to whatever their circumstances. Once people are through the door there is a huge range of opportunities made available to them. The Lloyds TSB Foundation is delighted to be supporting their work in this community.”
If you would like to learn more about the Colne Open Door Centre and the training opportunities available, please contact Dawn Lange, centre manager on 01282 860 342 or E-mail, manager@opendoorcentre.org.uk .
