Published: Wednesday, 21st May, 2008 16:25
Centre fights for survival
By Russell Steele
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PREMISES PLEA: Board members Betty Currie, Alex Anderson and George Taft have been packing up. They hope Second Chance will have a new home to go to. And, below, services offered by the centre.
Pic by: George Munro
GREENOCK’S Second Chance Learning project is looking for its OWN reprieve — as it faces the threat of closure.
The centre, on Blairmore Road, is one of the community facilities which lost out on Government funding after it was deemed ‘non-core’ by Inverclyde Alliance.
Defiant board members are determined to battle on and mounted a rescue bid by targeting other sources of financial support.
But their current headquarters will be demolished in a matter of weeks — and finding new premises is critical to their survival plan.
George Taft, project chairman, said: “We have been applying to various other bodies for grants to continue the good work, but without the promise of premises we fear funds may not be secured. Second Chance has clearly helped the economic growth of the area, but we feel all doors are being closed on us and it is shameful. Surely the council can help?”
The centre, which supports adults into informal learning and encourages them back into education, has helped an estimated 10,000 people since opening and celebrated its 20th birthday last year.
It has helped learners become social workers and helped others into business, while providing support for young mums, people with learning disabilities and mental health problems.
Volunteers now face a race against time to keep the doors open somewhere else.
They are appealing for help and say they are willing to go anywhere in Inverclyde.
Alex Anderson, another board member, said: “If we have premises we are confident we can attract funding — a shop front would do us.
“We just need to lift the project and put it down somewhere else.”
If you could help the project find a new home, call 791650.
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