“As we wind down operations, we remain committed to transparency, accountability, and supporting the communities we serve.
“We will be working closely with partner organisations to ensure the best transition we can. There will be phased closure of our services to ensure we can refer our service users to other local support.”
The Board of Directors, including Bolsover District Council Deputy Leader, Cllr Donna Hales, say the difficult decision to commence a phased closure of the organisation followed careful evaluation and thoughtful consideration after an extended period of effort and a struggle to secure sustainable funding.
Despite exploring every available avenue, according to the directors, the ongoing difficulties in obtaining suitable grants and funding opportunities – which many other charities are also experiencing – has made it impossible to find the financial support required to continue operating.
The number of major UK charities shutting down jumped to 151 in the 2024/25 financial year from 87 in the 2023/24 financial year, according to data from The Charity Commission.
Freedom Community Project’s supporters including the directors, staff, volunteers, partners, and generous donors have provided essential help, compassion, and practical support for those most in need by tackling food poverty, offering debt advice, employment support, and community engagement.
Its main premises at St Bernadette’s, which included the soft play, food pantry and clothing shop, will be closed with immediate effect.
However, food bank and client support services will continue to run one day a week until further notice.
The charity is understood to employ a small number of staff who have been informed of the situation, according to a Freedom spokesperson, and its many volunteers are also being made aware of the closure.
A board director has stated that the charity has stood as a beacon of hope for many and it has been with deep regret that it has had to announce that the project will be closing its services but its legacy will live on through the people it has helped and in the work it has inspired.
In the meantime, Freedom will be working with its network of centres at Bolsover, Shirebrook and Clowne Methodist churches and South Normanton Salvation Army, with the aim of continuing to provide welcome spaces and cafes.
Bolsover still benefits from a growing number of local and regional organisations offering community and welfare support, according to the Freedom Board of Directors, and this increased provision should ensure that individuals will continue to have access to help, advice, and guidance.
The Board of Directors stated that connections built through Freedom have strengthened the local community and the community project’s legacy will live on through the work it started and through the partnerships it has inspired and through the people it has helped.
Rev Adair added: “Though our work is ending, its impact will continue through the lives we’ve touched and the partnerships we’ve built.”
Those with further concerns and needs can still contact comms@freedom.charity as well as a wide range of other organisations for help.
These include; For advice and support contact Bolsover District Council, at its Contact Centre, at 01246 242424; For housing employment, Derbyshire Law Centre’s Nikki Tugby at Nikki.tugby@
