An organisation which caters for Asian women and their children is about to re-launch services disrupted four years ago.

The services were scuppered when fire chiefs said the first floor of the group's centre failed to meet regulations.

The relaunch coincides with Keighley Asian Women and Children's Centre's £39,000 grant from Children in Need to take on two outreach workers who will specialise in helping women and children in their homes. The charity's management committee is about to interview people to fill the posts of outreach workers.

A fire escape is being fitted thanks to a package of Single Regeneration Budget cash totalling £65,752 which the group won to buy the building and improve facilities since 1996.

Acting manager Lisa Brett says: "We had a lot of services working upstairs but we had to withdraw them because the fire service said the room wasn't safe."

The problems hit citizens' advice services, a sewing and typing class, a parent and toddler group and other services.

It is now hoped to re-introduce a number of new services and plans are also being made to use the building as a centre for all the courses in English as a second language run by Keighley College. Other services will include health education, language courses, an arts group, child-care and health and fitness sessions.

"We hope it will become a centre for a number of services so that Asian women who bring their children here can also access other facilities," says Lisa.

Centre treasurer Fakhara Rehman adds: "By centralising the services women can feel safe and secure in coming here and accessing what they need. The outreach workers will work with women in their homes, teaching parenting skills and helping give confidence to those who feel isolated."

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