Blow for town as Gordon Rural centre to close its doors
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The Inverurie community is set to lose a charity’s advice centre and shop which has been serving the town for 20 years,Gordon Rural Action will close its Inverurie base on Friday as it looks to scale back its remaining services in Huntly.
In June last year the charity, which gives people guidance on benefits, debt and employment, closed its Ellon centre, blaming the closure on funding cuts.
The service will continue at its remaining site on Gordon Street in Huntly until April 1.
Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin said: “I’m disappointed to hear that Gordon Rural Action has decided to close their doors in Inverurie.
“I know how valuable the advisers at Gordon Rural Action are, providing a lifeline service to so many local people.
“As always I’m keen to support any constituents affected and would encourage anyone with concerns to get in touch and I will help in any way I can.”
A spokesman for the council said: “We do recognise the positive contribution Gordon Rural Action has made.
“Previous funding arrangements for the provision of independent information and advice services, which included Gordon Rural Action, came to an end on December 31, 2019 in line with revised arrangements for commissioning
these services.
“Following a fair and transparent procurement process, a new contract for the delivery of information and advice services across Aberdeenshire was awarded in December 2019 with the successful bidder.
“We understand Gordon Rural Action will be closing the doors of their Inverurie branch and, while this is regrettable, we would like to offer reassurance that these important services are continuing to be provided across Aberdeenshire.
The Inverurie centre helped me with so many things, Mhairi Forbes said.
Speaking to the Advertiser this week, residents raised their concerns about the impact that the closure would have on people who needed the support.
Resident Mhairi Forbes said: “The Inverurie centre were the only people who managed to help me when I went through a very difficult time.
“After working for the NHS Grampian for 26 years I was given very little help from OH or HR Grampian and I went for six months without wages as I was unable to work due to having stage five renal failure.
“My work tried to terminate my contract due to ill health.
“The Inverurie centre helped me with so many things. I am now being pencilled off due to ill health as opposed to just losing my job, as well as what benefits I might be able to apply.
“I cannot thank them enough for all their support, I wish I could do more for them.”
While another resident who wishes to stay anonymous added: “I was diagnosed with epilepsy in my late 50s and suffered problems with cognition, despite being a teacher of English at various universities.
“Sarah Flavell from Gordon Rural Action helped me so much to get the benefits I deserved and thanks to her help, I feel I have learned to live with this condition.
“I cannot tell you how much I appreciate her help and regret the closure of the office.”
David Argo told the Advertiser about how the charity had helped his daughter: "My daughter Susanna had stroke back in 2008 and the centre were extremely helpful with the paperwork for benefits.
"She had been volunteering in the shop as a way to repaid the support they have given her."
While Lorraine Odston added: "They helped me when I was going through a separation and my mother with her benefits.
"I just found out recently and it is really concerning as it has been such an important place in Inverurie."
Interim head of the Gordon Rural Action team, Diane Mathieson said: “This is a very upsetting day.
The people who have volunteered at our Inverurie centre are worried that local people seeking advice and support will lose this resource.
“However, you have to be optimistic to properly help people so we will put all our efforts into doing whatever we can to support those who need us and who have relied on us for so many years,
pointing them to where they can find alternative support.”
Those who usually visit the Inverurie office are being asked to contact the Westhill branch on 01224 727714 or Turriff on 01888 562495 for support.
