The reintroduction of lockdown has set one of Aberdeen’s busiest community centres back “weeks, if not months”, according to its chairman.
Paul O’Connor, manager of Inchgarth Community Centre, said that while he “fully supports” the Scottish Government’s decision to close the city’s bars, restaurants and cafes, he estimates that it has cost his organisation around £130,000.
The Garthdee-based centre, which operates through revenue from its cafe alongside funding applications, has been unable to run its normal service since the restoration of lockdown measures last week.
Mr O’Connor, who also serves as chairman of Aberdeen’s third sector interface ACVO, said: “For organisations like ours who are self-financing and where our operations generate the income to supply the service, the only thing we can do is now is plead for funding and donations until the lockdown eventually ends.
“The whole third sector is feeling the pain, everybody is.
“I think the whole sector has been set back, particularly organisations like community centres, charities and social enterprises who are looking after kids, the disabled, the elderly and the poorest and most vulnerable – that’s society’s core needs.
“Not only that, we’ve been helping those who have suffered who would never normally need help in their life, so the further we get damaged you start to worry about what are we going to come back to once all this is over.”
Inchgarth Community Centre has provided help to around 1,500 people since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The organisation received a £128,000 relief package from the Scottish Government, the National Lottery, Inspiring Scotland and the Corra Foundation in March.
It has used the cash to provide services in Torry, Garthdee, Broomhill and Kincorth.
However, Mr O’Connor said he fears for the future of the community centre’s ability to help Aberdeen’s most vulnerable people if it cannot generate revenue or find additional funding.
He added: “Worst case scenario, we need to be back open by the end of this year or early January or doesn’t look good.”
“The third sector has been hugely impacted, yet its one thing society has relied on right through this crisis – local organisations that are providing vital services or support need help to survive.”