Recession hits grants available (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Recession hits grants available

7:20pm Friday 27th November 2009

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The future of Bradford’s community drug and alcohol rehabilitation programme could be under threat.

Redundancy notices have been issued to the Caleb project’s 11 staff and it could be forced to shut next month if it fails to find the £50,000 it needs to continue.

Caleb’s service manager, Jason Cresswell, a former drug addict who quit his 17-year addiction through the programme, said the recession has had some bearing on the organisation’s ability to attract funding.

“Because of the recession charitable trusts cannot give out as much money as they normally do,” he said.

“The pots we would normally be accessing are not there and they have become more stringent of what they require.”

He said staff hoped to access a Government fund set up for businesses struggling in the recession, though Caleb does not meet the required criteria.

Around 50 clients a year complete the rehabilitation programme and there are more on the waiting list. Caleb, based in Bolling Road, East Bowling, Bradford, also runs a Friday café, a drop-in for addicts and families to chat or seek support.

There is an IT suite where clients can gain qualifications for employment and Mr Cresswell and his colleagues also deliver outreach work.

“If Bradford was to lose Caleb it would be a tragedy because what we do is different to anywhere else,” he said.

Liz Barry, joint commissioning manager for substance misuse at NHS Bradford and Airedale, said: “We are saddened by this news and are working with Caleb to make sure that service users who will be affected are offered appropriate treatment at other providers in the district.

“We have given Caleb financial support to help continue their work, however we are unable to offer long-term funding.”

The closure of Caleb’s community rehabilitation programme would not affect the recently-opened Caleb Detox unit.

For details about Caleb, call (01274) 720101 or visit calebbrad ford.org

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