A NEW face at the helm of a century-old lifeline is looking forward to the challenges ahead in difficult times.
Paul Bridges has just been appointed manager at Huddersfield Methodist Mission, which has been helping the town’s people in need since 1906.
The position is a new one and Mr Bridges hopes to raise the profile and funds of the Mission at a time when more people than ever are coming to the centre for aid. He will be working in conjunction with Jacqui Goff who runs the Mission Cafe.
The Methodist Mission was originally located in King Street until 12 years ago when the building of the Kingsgate Shopping Centre forced it to move to its present purpose-built premises in Lord Street.
The building houses the Mission Cafe and the Welcome Centre, providing food and practical help for people in crisis as well as providing office and meeting spaces for a number of organisations.
Now a registered charity, the Methodist Mission has, over the decades, become a lifeline for people who find themselves in difficulties.
Father-of-three Mr Bridges, who lives in Penistone, said: “I have been really impressed by just how well regarded the Mission is; everybody knows and treasures it.
“It is a place people come to when they need help and they don’t know where else to turn. Our job is to help them, working with lots of other people and organisations to do just that.”
Mr Bridges has moved full circle, as he began his career working for a Methodist Mission in Moss Side, Manchester.
The Huddersfield Mission not only works with the homeless, but offers advice and support on a range of matters from drug and alcohol abuse to mental health problems and tenancy and benefits issues.
According to Mr Bridges, an increasing number of people who have been made redundant are coming through the doors seeking help.
He said: “There is clearly a huge need for our work and we need to be able to do more. One of the challenges facing us is to gain more financial support.
“We are seeing the effects of joblessness and people who have had their benefits cut because of welfare reforms. We have to be the voice of the voiceless.”
Mr Bridges is actively urging new businesses and organisations to come forward either to hire rooms in the Mission building or to make financial donations to help deal with increased demand for its services from the public.
He added: “It is exciting, there is so much we are already doing, but we want to do more. The Mission is, and wants to be, life changing.
“ It is fantastic to see the change in some people’s lives who come here for help and then go on to be volunteers. But ultimately, we also have to pay the bills.”
Anyone interested in hiring a room or making a donation should contact Mr Bridges on 01484 421461.
