A teacher with chronic fatigue syndrome has spoken of his sadness at the threatened closure of a Huddersfield charity.
The Nerve Centre in Greenhead Road provided a drop-in service and subsidised treatments for people with neurological conditions.
The Examiner revealed this week that the centre is set shut after losing funding from Kirklees Council.
The charity, set up in 2005, has been unable to find staff with the necessary skills to meet the requirements of its contract and the council pulled the plug.
Directors have called in an insolvency expert and the charity is set for liquidation.
The charity, which has four staff and 30 volunteers, could be wound up after a creditors’ meeting on October 8.
Dylan Murphy, 46, of Marsden, who has used the centre regularly over the last three years, described the closure as a “big blow.”
He added: “It’s really sad to see the centre go. I feel sorry for the volunteers and staff who work there.
“As soon as you go in there’s a lovely atmosphere, you’re offered a cup of tea and everyone is so supportive.
“I have been going for three years but there are plenty more who have been going a lot longer than that.
“Someone said to me it was like being part of a family. It’s a big blow and it’s such a pity there’s nothing to pick up the slack.”
Mr Murphy, who teaches history part-time at Honley High School, said the centre offered subsidised treatments such as tai chi, yoga, reflexology, reiki and aromatherapy.
“I have had reflexology before and recently started massage, which helps with the pain in my body,” he said.
“I was paying £15 an hour instead of £30 an hour and won’t be able to afford commercial rates on my part-time wages.
“I feel sorry for people on benefits who will be in a worse position than me.”
Other groups also meet at the centre. Headway Huddersfield, which helps people recovering from brain injuries, holds social meetings there and will have to find a new venue.
Chairman Caroline Jepson said many members had memory problems because of the nature of their injuries and added: “Our fear is that we will lose touch with members and not be able to reach out to people anymore.”
