A community organisation held an open day to celebrate the renovation of its premises, using a £95,000 grant from the Keighley Towns Fund.
Keighley Healthy Living’s community hub has been based on Scott Street for the past 17 years. At the event, service users and supporters of the organisation were welcome to look round the refurbished space and get a flavour of what is offered there.
About 500 people use the centre each week for a variety of activities including yoga, dance fit and tai chi, as well as classes such as drawing and painting, gardening, British Sign Language and IT support.
The charity delivers projects focusing on building social connections, lifestyle change, support for young parents, pain management and mental health guidance, delivering external classes in the community.
CEO of Keighley Healthy Living Melanie Hey said: “We are supporting more people than ever, and it was important for us to have a space which not only facilitates what we do but creates a sense of community.
“Thanks to the funding, our architects and builders we have certainly achieved that, and it has transformed the way we use the building. We were delighted to be able to welcome people to look round our incredible new space and find out a bit more about how we support our wonderful community.”
The work created a new welcome space, where people can come together. There is also a new community room, which can be split into two, as well as new decoration throughout. The garden has also been re-designed, with full disabled access, and planters at wheelchair height.
Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport said: “The work of this organisation to bring people together and help people live healthier lives will be boosted by having this functional, modern new space to use. It’s been a wonderful transformation to see. I’m so pleased the sun shone at the open day, to showcase the work on both the inside and outside spaces.”
Chair of the Keighley Towns Fund Tim Rogers said: “This charity has made such impressive use of the funding and the transformation is already making such a positive difference to the lives of the people who use it.”
Melanie added: “We are delighted that our visitors have given us positive feedback, particularly around improved accessibility and the garden, which is such a special space here. The building is now owned by KHL, and we’ve stipulated that it must always be used for the community so creating this incredible space will be a legacy for the people of Keighley for a long time to come.”
