Graig-y-Rhacca residents have hit back over claims the town’s resource centre is shutting for good.
Last month, the centre’s board of directors announced it would officially close on Friday, December 1, after the Welsh Government’s decision to scrap its flagship Communities First scheme.
The community hub relied on funding from the poverty programme to provide a range of services, from a créche, credit union, and tool library, to a doctors’ surgery and school homework club.
However, a group of volunteers have voiced their unhappiness at the announcement and subsequent action of the social enterprise’s board.
The doors to the resource centre have been locked since its closure, and the group claim board members have been hard to get in contact with to discuss whether the centre could be run by volunteers.
Christine Morgan, 59, said: “I don’t understand why we aren’t involved in any of the discussions.
“It’s incredible the amount of skills people in this community have – whether it’s degrees or other qualifications – yet we haven’t been asked to help.
“The irony is that this centre was run voluntarily until 2009, when a manager was hired and the social enterprise became a limited company. From that point, it felt like the community had been cut out.”
While the social enterprise has closed permanently, there is hope that the building will reopen in time for the annual Santa’s Grotto on December 16.
Discussions have taken place between volunteers, Caerphilly County Borough Council and Communities First about the centre’s future.
Christine added: “We would still like the board’s help with a smooth transition of management. There’s been a lot of miscommunication, and I hope they won’t make things more awkward.”
Resident Laura Henderson, 29, attended the centre AGM in October, but said she “walked away with more questions than answers”.
“We want this centre open so of course we were passionate, but they just shut down questions as not relevant” Laura added. “This community needs the centre. We are here for each other.”
Year 5 and 6 pupils at Graig-y-Rhacca Primary School were inspired to write letters after hearing that the resource centre could close, conducting research into their usage of the facilities.
Teacher Rebecca Wade said: “They had a class survey where they discussed what they use the resource centre for, and when it was written down they realised they used it a lot. They would desperately miss that service if it disappeared.
“It means a whole lot to the kids. I know that 20 of the 28 pupils have used the computer suite in the centre to do homework or even just meet their friends and play games.”
Shirley Williams, one of the social enterprise directors, confirmed plans to reopen the building.
She said: “We’ve had to close the business legally. There’s no public liability insurance from Friday, December 8. We still have the keys, but will be handing them over to the council.”