Newry and District Gateway Club have been informed that annual funding from the Southern Health and Social Care Trust is being withdrawn from 1 April 2025. The organisation whose volunteers and staff provide endless services for some of our areas most vulnerable people, helping them reach their full potential, will be down at least £10,000 a year.
The Club provides a social outlet and leisure activities for adults and children with learning disabilities and work towards achieving a society where all disabled people enjoy equality and fairness.
Members of the Management Committee for the Club were advised of the decision via a Zoom Meeting with the Southern Trust yesterday, 9 October. The news was received as a total shock to the Club and will have a devastating impact on the future running of the Club.
On the Zoom call, Lena Canavan, Head of Specialist Services at the Trust advised that cuts of this nature would be implemented right across the Trusts Area.
Mr Paddy Duffy, Chairman and Trustee of Newry & District Gateway Club, has said that his Committee would leave no stone unturned to challenge this proposed withdrawal of Funding. Duffy is angered at the decision which follows shortly after the Club's 50th anniversary, a time that the entire community celebrated the incredible work done by volunteers and staff at the facility in Kilmorey Street.
Knife in the Back
Duffy said "After the celebrations of the Golden Jubilee, which were a huge success, there was a great feeling about Gateway, and the legacy that came out of it was something to look forward to for the next 50 years. To be sat down yesterday was like getting a knife in the back, it just wiped that legacy out, hopefully, temporarily.
"We are all very disappointed, distraught and feel useless and worthless, that we can do nothing about it, we're in the hands of the bureaucracy people."
Duffy has advised that he will be lobbying all the local political Parties to enlist their support to have this Funding reinstated.
Over 50 years Newry and District Gateway Club has provided its Members, Social, Educational, Sporting and many other Recreational Activities. The work carried out at Gateway is mainly on a Voluntary Basis and the Club has succeeded in helping hundreds of their Members achieve their highest potential in the Community.
Mr Duffy said that it was a sad state of affairs when the most vulnerable in our Society are affected and it would be very difficult for them to understand such actions
Massive Blow
The MLA for Newry & Armagh, and Chair of the Health Committee at Stormont has raised serious concerns following news of proposed funding cuts to Newry Gateway Club for 2025.
Liz Kimmins said "This news comes as a massive blow to the Gateway Club's members and volunteers, who have been left shocked and anxious by this development.
"Committee members have said this has been totally unexpected, and if the Trust proceeds with this decision, will have significant ramifications for the future of Newry Gateway”.
"Newry Gateway Club are an institution in the Newry area, providing a safe and supportive environment for adults with learning disabilities for over 50 years, often on a shoestring budget”.
Ms Kimmins has contacted the Trust for an urgent response, and has asked for serious reconsideration to be given to what she calls a very short sighted decision.
"At a time when the Dept of Health are making plans to improve learning disability services, actions like this may further reduce the already scarce provision and we must do all we can to support Newry Gateway, its service users and their families." the MLA concluded.
Newry.ie has contacted the Trust for Comment.
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