ANGER AS STAR CENTRE CLOSES
ON behalf of all those who have benefitted from the services of the Star Centre, the main support agency in Rossendale for domestic abuse which has recently been forced to close its doors through lack of funding, I would like to express sincere gratitude. The centre has operated since 1996, providing holistic support to victims and their families experiencing domestic abuse. It has been a life saver for many vulnerable and abused individuals from the area and has accomplished the impossible in terms of effectiveness with so few resources.
It has been a haven for numerous traumatised women, many of whom had been referred to the centre by local agencies, including GPs and schools.
As a local facility which was accessible and friendly it supported those who may have been deterred by more auspicious surroundings. The star was staffed by both paid and voluntary personnel all of whom were appropriately qualified. They gave of their time and expertise generously to a cause which had their full commitment and which necessitated that they raise funds alongside their professional roles in order that the service could function.
Alas, despite so much hard work and dedication resulting in phenomenal success, the centre struggled to function as funding dried up and money demands ceased to abate. On March 30, 2017, after a futile trustees meeting and while further charity status funding was being investigated, the Star Centre was forced to close its doors. The closure is a lamentable loss to Rossendale where these services were, and will continue to be, in high demand.
Similar services are available through Victim Support but however good this provision will prove to be I feel it will not be able to replicate the role of a local provision where such dedication, time and effort was so generously given.
A big thank you to all who were involved in the life of the Star Centre and particularly its staff team and manager who have dedicated so much of their lives to this project for so long. Name and address supplied