SMART Prebend Centre in Bedford to close due to lack of funds

The decision – announced on the charity’s website – came about after it failed to secure long term-funding.

The statement said: “Prebend is an amazing service that supports so many people. However, securing the long-term funding needed to sustain it has become increasingly difficult, particularly as local funding priorities have changed. We have watched day centres across the country close and felt the pain of those charities. It is deeply upsetting to now find ourselves in the same position.”

The centre – which supports people facing homelessness, rough sleeping, addiction, and complex mental health – will close at the end of Thursday, October 1.

The statement went on to say: “This has been an extremely difficult decision and one we have not taken lightly.

“We have made this decision in line with our commissioned services transferring to Bedford Borough Council. We are pleased that most of the SMART team will also transfer, continuing to work with the people we currently support and providing vital continuity and familiar faces.

"Prebend has never been a standalone service. Everything we have achieved has been made possible by our staff, volunteers, and external partners, who brought the Centre to life every day."

Bedford-based charity SEVA Trust UK, which has given support to SMART CJS for years, said: “We are feeling sad and disappointed to hear about this news of closure of Prebend Centre but this will not stop our ongoing support work. We will continue to support people experiencing homelessness or hardships in Bedfordshire in line with the concept of SEVA.”

SMART CJS confirmed right up until the last day, it will help anyone who needs support to move into Bedford Borough Council’s redesigned pathway.

The Government’s National Plan To End Homelessness has set is encouraging councils to focus on early intervention and homelessness prevention.

Bedford council is continuing the provision of rough sleeper outreach, welfare and night bed services.

Councillor Andrea Spice, portfolio holder for economic prosperity, planning, housing and regulatory services said: “We’ve worked in close partnership with SMART over the last decade. Many rough sleepers and homeless people have been helped and had their lives changed thanks to the tireless dedication of Council officers and SMART staff who have consistently gone above and beyond.

“Bedford borough’s homelessness service has not changed substantively over the last ten years. During this transition, SMART is still working with customers on the ground and have shared ideas for new services, while many SMART staff will be moving across to the Council to continue working with us.”

As part of the change, night beds will be remodelled from overnight camp beds in a hall to self-contained rooms.

Louise Ritchie, CEO of SMART added: “I have confidence in these changes, and what they will mean both for our clients and for Bedford Borough. It will mean continuity of services for our homeless community, and many of our staff will be transferring to work for Bedford Borough Council.

“I’m proud to have been part of SMART, and I know that until the final day every single member of our team will continue to put their heart and soul into their jobs.”