The 'permanent' closure of a valuable community centre for armed forces veterans has been announced. Salford Veterans Community Centre in Eccles, Salford, which only opened earlier this year, said that without staff and financial support it 'could not carry on in its current state'.
The centre - based on The Mall at Eccles Shopping Centre - was a cafe offering veterans the chance to make friends, share stories and access support if needed over a brew and a bacon butty.
The closure news, which has sparked social media posts calling for donations to keep it running, comes after a Christmas dinner for veterans was held at the centre this weekend, funded from donations from the public.
The centre was a non-profit making charity reliant on volunteers and run by veterans - with its closure announced 'with a heavy heart'. There had been plans to transform a room upstairs into a counselling and function room.
In a Facebook message its founder and director, retired Greater Manchester Police constable Carl Blower, said: "It is with a heavy heart to say this, but the veterans centre will now be permanently closed. I thank you for your support and custom over the past few months. I will not go into details but without staff and financial help, the centre could not carry on in its current state.
"If you are a veteran and need help and support, please visit the Troops Naafi at Pendleton Church on a Saturday morning. Thank you again and this page will be closed down in the next few days."
It's understood there are around 16,000 veterans in Salford, with access to 'little support for mental health and well-being', according to Mr Blower.
Mr Blower, as reported in the Manchester Evening News , fought in the Gulf War and was the local beat officer for GMP based in Eccles. He got the keys to the unit in March and opened in September, although a re-opening was held in early December after management changes.
Mr Blower said at the time he was hoping the cafe could be safe space for people to reach out to others, but also a place for the wider community to connect with their serving officers and firemen and women.
The 52-year-old dad of three said he was inspired to launch the project because of his first-hand experience of what Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can do, having served in the military for 13 years and witnessed the devastating affect war has had on his colleagues and civilians.
He told the M.E.N. after announcing the closure: "The heating is not working and it is an old system. The unit had been dormant for a few years and I have got no funding at all.
"I opened it in the hope that I would be able to support people but have ended up being a chef in a cafe. I wanted it to be like a support hub. It is just about having that pool of volunteers and sadly, there is not enough people. I just cannot do it by myself.
"If we get enough interest and reliable people - I know it is hard for volunteers and people do their best - then you never know in the future. I have enquired about some funding. It was doing well but there was just not enough support. We were getting burnt out."
Mr Blower thanked all those who have donated money, equipment and time to the project.
He added: "It was doing well but there was just not enough people to volunteers and support use. I have had some great support from local businesses and people - we have had interest and help but unfortunately more is needed."
A GoFundMe appeal for donations is running and available here.
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