Following a high profile campaign from Stockport Against Mental Health Cuts, supported by the borough’s Labour Group, the Council is now considering a number of options for funding to safeguard the immediate future of the Sir Joseph Whitworth Centre, formerly known as the Wellbeing Centre, on Chestergate.
The centre, home to local community groups, charities and NHS and carer support groups, had been under threat due to Council and NHS spending cuts but additional resources now seem set to ensure the future of this facility for at least the medium term.
‘Overall, resources like the Wellbeing Centre save the NHS on hospital admissions and the Council on the adult social care budget. Removing funding would be a false economy.
‘The Council cannot expect an increased role from the voluntary sector and then pull the rug from under those very same organisations trying to fill the gaps left by cuts in services.’
Labour Councillors have campaigned consistently to save the Wellbeing Centre since the plans were announced; they moved and seconded a motion at a meeting of the Central Area Committee on 1st October in opposition to the proposals; received a petition from mental health cuts campaigners, and again raised the issue at the Council meeting on 29th October.
Cllr Sheila Bailey added ‘It is credit to the will and determination of local campaigners that the centre’s future now looks considerably more secure, although of course we await the detail of the options which the Council are going to come forward with.’