Centre that’s been caring for the community for 40 years
FOR HUNDREDS of people in Halifax, the Maurice Jagger Centre is their happy place.
Every week at the centre, people are made to feel welcome, comfortable and part of something.
This year is the centre’s 40th anniversary, and after the uncertainties of the worst of the Covid pandemic, it is hoped another 40 years can now be embarked on for what has become a lifeline for so many people.
There are around 22 different groups, plus another couple in the pipeline, who use the centre each week and on average, prior to the pandemic, they had a footfall of around 600 people
Our centre has become a lifeline to combat social isolation
per week, which they are hopeful of soon reaching once again.
Jean Radford, treasurer and a trustee at the centre in Winding Road, has been running the Whist Club for around ten years, which has around 20 members.
She says that if the Maurice Jagger Centre didn’t exist, then neither would the Whist Club.
“They come a bit beforehand so they can have a chat, it does make such a big difference for people to be able to get out of the house.
“When they come to the lunch club or the whist group, the ladies will put a bit of makeup on, they’ll have a brooch on
or a nice necklace, and a nice jumper on,” she said. “They make an effort, and it’s lovely to see them coming in and having a chat with one another and supporting one another.”
Centre administrator Alison Stevens says the centre is keen to build on its services and activities aimed at younger people and wants to encourage more
support groups catering for young people to use their facilities.
She added: “One of the lessons we have learnt from the last two years is that our centre has become a lifeline to combat social isolation and made us more aware that the services are important to the general
wellbeing of the older end of the Calderdale population.
“Our future aims are to be the same as they have in the past 40 years to provide a warm, comfortable, safe meeting place where people can come and meet like minded people and have some fun and if we can achieve this we will be here in another 40 years.”
To contact the Maurice Jagger Centre, call 01422 364691 or email info@mauricejaggercentre.org.