A COMMUNITY group has reacted with anger at the news that a Huddersfield support centre has been forced to shut.

The Volunteer Centre at Lord Street announced last week that it is to close after Kirklees Council axed its funding.

The move means hundreds of vulnerable people will suffer as the centre – run by Voluntary Action Kirklees (VAK) – provides training for dozens of community and charitable groups, including the National Children’s Centre and Lifeline Kirklees.

Members of Better Future for the Blind, a Huddersfield-based group working to raise awareness and improve services for blind people, slammed the closure as ‘disgraceful’.

Chairpman Jean Goodison said: “This is an absolute disgrace.

“It means that lonely citizens of our town are being most cruelly targeted.

“VAK provides a much valued service to voluntary groups like ours, we relied totally on their knowledge and expertise to set up a well-regarded service to blind and disabled people.”

The organisation provides a befriending service, exercise class and swimming and has an employment plan to help disabled people.

The group has worked with VAK to ensure users receive services which have been well thought out and properly delivered.

Mrs Goodison said this work was invaluable.

She said: “We have used their training courses in the preparation of our volunteers and to enable us to run our financial affairs as soundly as possible.

“They have also guided us through the process of applying for charity status – these are only a few areas where we have received help from friendly and well-informed staff.

“It is appalling that the council has thought fit to undermine us and our colleagues in the voluntary sector.

“What is going to happen to isolated and disabled people – are they going to be left once again?”

The centre’s 13 staff will lose their jobs when the money runs out later this month.

Kirklees Council said cuts had to be made as the Budget announcement signalled it was to lose 25% in funding.