A centre for women and children can now open up facilities for men thanks to a £3,250 grant.

Keighley Women's Centre has refurbished the basement at the centre in Skipton Road, Keighley, and a rear entrance means it can be accessed without using the main entrance.

"We can now segregate this from the rest of the house and allow mixed groups to rent the room," said assistant co-ordinator Annette Dent.

"Although we are a centre essentially for women, we planned to have an area accessible to men at certain times,''

The Garden Room, whose patio doors open to the garden, was officially opened yesterday. It has been funded by Lloyds Bank and is to be used as a crche, conference facility, classroom and general meeting area.

"Every room we have is multi-purposed. It has to be because we don't get funding from Bradford Council and we have to make our own way. The place has to pay for itself,'' said Mrs Dent.

Financial pressure would increase from next March when a Keighley Single Regeneration Grant to pay for two part-time wages would cease.

"It means we will have to secure new funding from next April and we are in the process now of looking for help,'' she said.

Between 100 and 200 people use the centre every month for a variety of services. It is open three days a week, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.

Staff provide help and advice ranging from health to benefits. Additional services are planned.

Mrs Dent said the centre's aim was to improve the quality of life through the support of women and community activities, as well as providing personal support for women who wanted to work or return to education.

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