‘Lifeline’ addiction centre on brink of closure

Graham Fell from Spacious Places with Mark Smith and Katrina Groundwell. (d608d312)

By Jamie Presland
Published on 20/03/2013 09:22

A vital Leeds addiction service which served as a “lifeline” to a Churwell man suffering from alcoholism could be forced to close due to lack of funds.

Spacious Places, which offers support to people with drug and alcohol problems, runs three hour sessions five days a week to help clients battle their addictions.

But the charity, which is financed by trust funds and individual donations, only has enough money to last until the end of the year.

Graham Fell, manager at the centre said: “We have a very small budget, £80,000 per year, and until very recently we only had enough money to last three more months.

“Since that time we have received a gift which keeps us going for another four months, but we still only have seven or eight months left.”

Spacious Places is not funded by the government, and Mr Fell says paying for the care offered to its clients is an ongoing problem.

He said: “We don’t receive statutory funding, but we are still part of the various drug and alcohol addiction centres in the city.

“Many of the others will be receiving massive restructuring soon, so our need for statutory funding has come at the worst possible time.”

Mark Smith, a former alcoholic, says Spacious Places saved his life after a serious drinking problem.

Mr Smith said: “It’s taken me 20 years to get to get off drink, I’ve tried everything and this is the only way.

“I was told if I kept drinking I would be dead in six months.

“Spacious Places look at how to rebuild your life, and it’s just been a lifeline. It’s unique and I’m gutted that it might close.”

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‘Lifeline’ addiction centre on brink of closure

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