Community charity to close over funding challenges

Freedom Community Project's main premises, St Bernadettes, is to close with immediate effect

A charity that has supported people in poverty in North Derbyshire has announced it is to close due to funding challenges.

Bolsover District Council said Freedom Community Project had been unable to find "sustainable" financial support despite extensive efforts.

The charity, which was founded in 2008, has helped thousands of individuals and families with food aid, debt advice, job support and community outreach, the council said.

Freedom Community Project's main premises, St Bernadettes, on the High Street in Bolsover, which includes a food pantry, clothing shop and soft play facilities, will close with immediate effect, the authority added.

However, food bank and client support services will continue to run one day a week, until further notice, the charity said.

Chairman Reverend Sean Adair said: "We will be working closely with partner organisations to ensure the best transition we can, there will be a phased closure of our services to ensure we can refer our service users to other local support.

"We're proud of everything we've accomplished and deeply thankful to our staff, volunteers, funders, and supporters.

"Though our work is ending, its impact will continue through the lives we've touched and the partnerships we've built."

The charity added it would work with its network of centres in Bolsover, Shirebrook, Clowne Methodist Churches and South Normanton Salvation Army, with the aim to continue welcome spaces and cafe provision.