COMMUNITY health charity Hale is launching a new cafe in a Bingley medical centre to improve local well-being and boost its funds after losing £194,000 of support earlier this year.

When Shipley-based Hale was forced to tender City Hall for a contract to work across Bradford district, instead of just the Shipley area, it failed to win funding which was equal to two thirds its annual budget.

There were fears that award-winning Hale (Health Action Local Engagement) might have to wind up by Christmas with the loss of its single-decker bus and trained staff who offer health advice across the ward.

While that threat remains, Hale project manager Natasha Thomas said it was hoped the new cafe at the Canalside Healthcare Centre, might provide some fresh security.

"We've got financial reserves which will last up until December and so there will be no redundancies up until then.

"We have been desperately pushing in every direction in order to find more funding, and are so grateful to Bradford's Clinical Commissioning Group, who have agreed to let us run the Hale cafe rent free for a year at least," Ms Thomas said.

"It's a lovely purpose-built cafe with six tables and a good size room with plenty of space.

"We'll be getting some sofas to put round the walls, so it become a place for groups to meet.

"Basically it will evolve as the opportunities arise. We will have a member of staff, plus volunteers, and we're happy to recruit anyone who wants to support us."

Ms Thomas said the cafe would link up with particular health projects being run at the centre.

"We will tie in to what they are doing, so if there is a focus on what to eat when pregnant or on weaning babies, then we'll offer foods and advice based around that.

"Alternatively it might be giving advice to older people on the importance of taking in plenty of fluids.

"And for those people, the social benefits of being at the cafe actually turns into health benefits due to interaction.

"Essentially we will be aiming to work closely with whatever the health centre is promoting," Ms Thomas said.

"Meantime we are also looking at avenues of alternative funding and Shipley MP Philip Davies has been very helpful by putting us in touch with Government departments," she said.

"I hope this new venture is a great success, send them my best wishes and assure them of my continued support," Mr Davies said.

The official launch of the Hale cafe is on Thursday, September 3, where the guest speaker will be Baroness Margaret Eaton of Bingley at what is also the group's AGM and which begins at 11am.

Dr Andy Withers, clinical chair of Bradford Districts Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said: "We wish Hale every success with their new venture at Canalside Healthcare Centre, which will broaden patients’ access to, and experience of, care and support.

"The café will also promote healthy eating, which is one of the key foundations of preventing some of the biggest causes of death in Bradford, such as heart disease and diabetes."