Job losses at Glebe house

Job losses at Glebe house

13 September 2023

THE cash crisis engulfing Glebe House following the axing of vital government support has resulted in seven job losses and key support programmes being put on hold.

The loss of Northern Ireland Executive funding has forced the Harmony Community Trust — which runs the cross-community facility in Kilclief — to seriously curtail its operation.

It says the funding loss has made it “impossible” for Glebe House to continue with its highly acclaimed work.

However, trustees insist the facility is not closing and a recovery plan is being put in place, which will utilise all the assets of Glebe House, including its land. New funding opportunities are also being explored.

News of the job losses and temporary cessation of most programmes comes after a management board meeting, with the Harmony Community Trust explaining that despite its best and continuing efforts to keep going, it has been left with no other choice.

Founded in 1975 to promote community relations and social inclusion, Glebe House was dealt a devastating body blow in the summer when its budget was slashed from £250,000 to £110,000 by the NI Executive Office without formal public consultation.

In the absence of clarity when or if funding will be restored, Glebe House was left with no choice but to cut staff numbers and programmes.

The Executive’s budget for supporting community relations work has been cut for the new financial year as part of wider cuts to the Northern Ireland budget, making it impossible for Glebe House to continue this work. 

Glebe House said the loss of funds will have a major impact for both staff and programme participants, with the loss of all staff posts and a pause in most programmes until new funding can be secured.  

Seamus Camplisson, chairman of Glebe House management board, said that despite the “tireless efforts” of many, including trustees, team members and friends, strong cross-party support and knocking on every door over recent months, they are “despondent” at having to announce staff cuts and programme suspensions.

“We have engaged with our local representatives, investigated every possible avenue and already implemented cost savings measures on a very lean operation to avoid today’s decision but without the Executive funding, which we have received at varying levels since 2016, the deficit in our budget is too great,” he explained.

“We’ve all heard the phrase ‘cuts to funding’ so many times that we can lose sight of the real impacts that these have, especially for our dedicated and talented staff who have now lost their jobs through no fault of their own, and to the hundreds of Glebe House programme participants and their families, for whom Glebe House is a very special place which enriches people’s lives.” 

Glebe House has been serving the community since 1975, providing cross-community residential and day programmes that promote positive community relations, and support participants in overcoming the impacts of deprivation, social exclusion and rural isolation.

In a typical year, around 100 children and young people and 100 adults take part in Glebe House programmes.  

The Glebe House team has historically been supported by volunteers, recruited locally and from all over the world, some of whom have been volunteering at the centre for decades.   

Despite the devastating news, Harmony Community Trust trustees insist they are determined to find a solution.  

“The trustees and I will do everything we can to restore programmes at Glebe House,” continued Mr Camplisson.

“We are determined that the community does not lose this special resource which has benefitted thousands of adults and young people from across Northern Ireland over its 48-year history.  

“On behalf of the Glebe House community, I would once again like to pay tribute to our fantastic staff, whose loss at Glebe House will be felt deeply by the Glebe House community. Through determination, resolve and the community’s support, we are aiming to restore our team and programmes as soon as we have a resolution to our funding issues.” 

Glebe House trustees have confirmed they are seeking new funding for future programmes and confirmed that in the interim, theHarmony Community Trust will continue to deliver a much-reduced adult programme, which will includes the Seedbed gardening and environment project and the Knitwits group.

Glebe House will also remain home to the local Men’s Shed group, with the venue remaining available as a residential and activity venue for groups wishing to book the facilities.