A charity that operated a Belfast drop-in centre for people with addictions has apologised to its neighbouring community for the antisocial behaviour it attracted.
The Welcome organisation’s Townsend Street premises were extensively damaged in a ram-raid style attack in July.
Speaking to The Irish News, Jude Whyte, the charity’s chairperson confirmed the centre was not reopening.
Mr Whyte added: “For our mistakes, I’m sorry to the community but their stress is over.”
“We have been, in my view, been negligent in not taking their concerns as seriously as we should. The context for that is the board and I are new to this. Most of us are only here about 18 months.
“Essentially, regardless of how many cars were driven through our door, if that community had supported us, we would still be there, and they don’t. They are at the end of their tether, and I totally understand that.
“We are now urgently looking for a day facility which is going to offend nobody. That is Welcome’s big challenge now,” said Mr Whyte.
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Residents in the Fingals / Finn Square area, which border the former drop-in centre, received news of its closure on Thursday evening – in a letter from the Lower Falls Irish Republican Socialist Party (IRSP).
The organisation expressed its “heartfelt appreciation to every member of this community who, over the past decade, has campaigned tirelessly to relocate the Welcome Centre from this area”.
It continued: “Your journey has not been easy. You were ignored, criminalised, and marginalised by the media and the Welcome Centre management for standing up for your community against its unwelcome presence.
“Before the Welcome Centre moved into the area, Fingals / Finn Square was an award-winning, best kept community known for its pride and spirit. We now hope you can continue this community spirit and rebuild.”
Mr Whyte said five people had died on the streets of Belfast since the Welcome Centre’s closure.
He added: “Those are people who would have been in in our day centre. Clients are safe there. They get fed, their clothes changed and washed, and toiletries, and, more importantly, a case worker.
“I remember one night standing with a service user and she must have had 14 sandwiches but still we couldn’t get her a bed for that night.
“That is not to criticise the kindness of citizens but the practical way to help this organisation is to come and work for us as a volunteer or donate to us.
“The statutory organisations are helping us and a number of people from the private sector have contacted us about potential buildings.”
