Councillor Warns Independent Community Centres at Risk Without Long-Term Funding
Councillor Sarah Murray has warned that independent community centres across the city could be put at risk without stable, long-term funding, following a statement made at the Policy and Resources Committee meeting.
Speaking at the start of the meeting, Worcester Liberal Democrat Councillor Sarah Murray raised concerns about the future of centres such as Lyppard Hub, which she said deliver vital services to residents across the city despite receiving minimal core funding.
Councillor Murray, who is also a trustee of Lyppard Hub, told the committee “Worcester’s independent community centres, like Lyppard, are at serious risk without long-term, stable funding. Lyppard isn’t part of Worcester Community Trust – it runs with minimal core support, and yet it delivers vital services across the city.”
Lyppard Hub supports a wide range of residents, providing youth clubs, dementia support, toddler groups, bereavement cafés and Warm Hub meals. Councillor Murray highlighted the scale of its impact, noting that 248 young people attended the youth club over just nine weeks this autumn, travelling from across Worcester – not just from Warndon Villages.
“Those young people come from right across Worcester,” she said. “The hub gives them something positive – structure, guidance and a sense of community.”
Councillor Murray also referenced research from the Centre for Social Justice, which shows that boys without stable male role models are more likely to face exclusion, mental health challenges and risk-taking behaviour.
“We hear national promises about recruiting more youth workers,” she added, “but we also need to ask where they will work if we allow the spaces that support them to disappear.”
Urging councillors to consider the issue as budget discussions continue, Councillor Murray said the loss of centres like Lyppard would have far-reaching consequences.
“Without centres like Lyppard, we don’t just lose youth clubs – we lose the glue that connects new mums, older people, the bereaved, those living with dementia and so many others. We lose safe spaces, support networks and prevention services.”
She added that community hubs also host a wide variety of activities that improve wellbeing and reduce isolation.
“From singing for health and martial arts to Rainbows groups and even belly dancing classes – the list is vast. These centres are at the heart of our communities, and we cannot afford to let them fail.”
The Worcester Liberal Democrats say they will continue to press for sustainable funding solutions to protect community centres as the council sets its upcoming budget.