Northampton community service closure 'mortifying'

Billy Millward said the Workbridge organisation was one of the charities that saved his life

A service in Northampton that has been described as a "lifeline" by those who have used it will close after 45 years, according to its charity operator.

Workbridge offers training sessions and work experience for people with mental illness, learning disability, autism or brain injury. It also has a coffee shop, garden centre and gift shop.

Billy Millward, who was helped by the organisation as part of his recovery from a breakdown, said the planned closure was "absolutely heart-breaking".

Workbridge is run by a charity called St Andrew's Healthcare, which said the closure would help it remain "financially sustainable".

Workbridge was established in 1980 and merged with St Andrew's Healthcare in 2009

St Andrew's recently had its rating downgraded to "inadequate" by health inspectors at the Care Quality Commission, and is the subject of a police investigation into an allegation of assault at one of its psychiatric hospitals.

It said the separate Workbridge learning centre on Bedford Road would close, as it needed to focus "on delivering specialist care for patients with complex mental health needs".

Mr Millward, 55, had an alcohol addiction following a breakdown six years ago.

He completed a cookery course with Workbridge and said it helped him "restore his confidence". He now works as a decorator.

"It was massive, it gave me something to look forward to, I met new people and learnt new skills."

He said without it he "wouldn't be here now" and it was "absolutely heart-breaking to see the closure".

"You just have to see how proud people are when they've made something in the metalwork class or the leatherwork class, or when they've baked a cake. It's priceless," he said.

Billy Millward now works as a decorator and has turned his life around

Former mayor of Northampton, Rufia Ashraf, has a 17-year-old son called Emraan who has an acquired brain injury.

She said she was hoping she could send him to Workbridge when he was 18 and was "furious" it was closing.

"To save money they cut services for the most vulnerable. I am absolutely mortified. Where do I go to now?

"We don't have anything in Northampton. Slowly we're losing everything and we're going to be left with nothing for our young people.

"They want to fit in, that's all they want. We're setting them up to fail."

Rufia Ashraf, who works as a Labour councillor, said there was hardly any provision for young people with brain injuries who also have mental ill health

In February, Workbridge was visited by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Liz Kendall.

She met people with mental ill health who had taken part in a programme to help them back into work.

Workbridge was given a £60,000 grant provided through the central government's UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

The visit followed new research by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), which showed that many sick and disabled people wanted to work to help boost their living standards – but were not given the right support.

Erika Clayson said she could not understand why Workbridge was closing as it was so invaluable

Former staff member, Erika Clayson, said she had helped with woodwork and pottery courses, and described Workbridge as "a lifeline".

"People have gained qualifications there where they may not have gained them elsewhere, like food hygiene certificates," she said.

"I'm sure that people have gone on to do part-time jobs or volunteering elsewhere because of the input they've had."

John Clarke, who works for Daily Bread - a neighbouring health food shop that shares the site with Workbridge - said it would not be closing.

"We will be discussing our future options with our membership including whether to remain on site or consider relocating," he said.

Mr Clarke said the shop had employed people from Workbridge over the years and had a shared ethos.

"It is a devastating loss and essentially leaves the site a ghost town with just us here."

John Clarke said the decision to close the rest of the site meant he would have to "consider his options" on where his shop would be based in future

Labour MP for Northampton South, Mike Reader, told the BBC: "I am deeply concerned about the closure. This is a brilliant facility, and I am disappointed more has not been done to protect it."

St Andrew's Healthcare said: "We have taken the difficult decision to close Workbridge in Northampton. This is part of a broader plan to ensure St Andrew's Healthcare remains financially sustainable and focused on delivering specialist care for patients with complex mental health needs.

"While Workbridge is closing, there are many opportunities for patients to take part in creative, educational and work-related activities, and we are working with our community learners to ensure they receive full support."

It said the shop and cafe would close on 23 December, but it would honour current contracts for educational courses.