The “Factory” that became a sanctuary for its community

Over the past twenty-five years, a community center has become a sanctuary for isolation and despair.

Netherton’s Feelgood Factory was founded in 1999 and is a community-led healthy living center working tirelessly to support local people. This week the center celebrated its 25th anniversary with a series of events to show its appreciation for volunteers, staff and visitors.

The original aim in establishing the Feelgood Factory was to create a welcoming and inclusive space to facilitate projects aimed at improving the health and well-being of local residents. Over the past quarter century, the center has created a number of services to do just that.

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Services currently offered at Feelgood include befriending, mental and physical health assurance, nutrition classes, gardening and support for parents and families. It’s something Executive Director Sandra Duncan is extremely proud of. She said: “We act as a one-stop shop for help and advice as we are in the center of Netherton and convenient for people to access.

“For me it’s all about the locals. We are small enough to know what people need and to be able to mobilize quickly to meet them.

“We can’t do everything, but we’ve tried our best over the last 25 years to meet as many as we can.”

There have been many achievements since launch, but raising £2 million to build a purpose-built community center is certainly a highlight. However, for Sandra, Feelgood’s response to the pandemic really showed the importance of the centre’s work.

For two decades, Feelgood’s core service practice was based on face-to-face interactions and providing a place where people could meet, socialize and enjoy peer-to-peer support.

Internal research shows that the main reason people visit Feelgood is to meet other people, make friends and take part in new hobbies such as exercise classes, creative writing and crafts. The 2020 pandemic fundamentally changed the way centers like Feelgood could operate.

Sandra said: “Overnight we had to change. We had to meet the same demands – the same needs – but in a very different way. I remember running one of the few shopping services in Sefton and the phone rang constantly for over a period of time. week with requests for help.

“Unfortunately, we had nowhere to get food. At one point we had heroic volunteers queuing outside supermarkets to get access to food.

“In addition, we set up a helpline and call over 200 people a week. We have also embraced technology and developed ways to provide engaging activities for those stuck at home.

“Once again, it was the community that rallied to our aid in so many ways.”

There were other challenges to face. Like many charities, Feelgood is locked in a two-way battle – an increase in the number of people needing to access its services and a decrease in the availability of statutory funding. A report published earlier this year by the University of Nottingham showed that since 2010 there has been a £13.2 billion reduction in council funding for charities.

Local government has been an important funder for the charity sector, but increased financial pressures and reported cuts to funding from central government mean that this vital source of funding has declined over time.

Sandra continued: “The last few years have been particularly challenging.

“More people are now falling through the cracks in existing provisions and turning to local charities such as the Feelgood Factory for vital help. But statutory funding dwindled and we had to find other ways to provide income to continue.

“As with most charities, the decline in grant funding has been accompanied by an increase in the need for support services. Charities need funds to keep services and doors open and we start each year knowing we need to raise around £100,000 to keep going – it’s a constant headache.”

Asked what Sandra plans for the next twenty-five years, she quipped: Well, I won’t be here in 25 years unless I’m trying to be the oldest charity CEO in the country.

“Originally I was only going to stay for three years and now I’ve been here for eighteen!

“I think, however, if I can speak for those who come after me, I would hope that we will remain as we are now – an integral part of the local community, being flexible, adaptable and approachable enough to make a difference in Netherton. “.

Sandra continued: “The last few years have been particularly challenging.

“More people are now falling through the cracks in existing provisions and turning to local charities such as the Feelgood Factory for vital help. But statutory funding dwindled and we had to find other ways to provide income to continue.

“As with most charities, the decline in grant funding has been accompanied by an increase in the need for support services. Charities need funds to keep services and doors open and we start each year knowing we need to raise around £100,000 to keep going – it’s a constant headache.”

Asked what Sandra plans for the next twenty-five years, she quipped: Well, I won’t be here in 25 years unless I’m trying to be the oldest charity CEO in the country.

“Originally I was only going to stay for three years and now I’ve been here for eighteen!

“I think, however, if I can speak for those who come after me, I would hope that we will remain as we are now – an integral part of the local community, being flexible, adaptable and approachable enough to make a difference in Netherton. “.

You can learn more about The Feelgood Factory and support them by visiting their website HERE.

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