AS a former chairman of the committee at Silsden’s Daisy Chain Centre I am very concerned about the restructuring of child services across the Bradford district, and in particular for the outlying districts.

Nearly two years ago I relinquished my position as chairman because I could no longer represent the community I wanted to, as decisions were being based on an area basis rather than local basis.

From 2011 until 2016 I regularly used the wide range of sessions and courses offered by child services, not only at Daisy Chain, but also Low Fold, Highfield, Strong Close and Treetops.

As a stay-at-home dad it was a particularly difficult time for me. Not only was I on a steep physical and mental learning curve but so too was my child.

Being an often-isolated male, women talked to me little, sometimes not at all, I never could ask why. When they did make mild chat it was the best thing in the world to me, but on the whole for all those years I was lonely.

Children’s centre staff were amazing at what they did – they formed no barriers, always had a smile and were always helpful. They were true professionals dedicated at every aspect of their job.

I was delighted when they asked me to be their chairman because that gave me some self-worth when I really needed it. The net benefits to society are vastly underestimated.

Outreach staff cannot operate in the same professional way as staff based within a building central to a community. In fact, I have been told on good authority that current outreach in Bradford is already at an unreachable point. What happens next?

Neighbourhood venues such as community centres, schools and toddler groups might be utilised.

Some private children’s venues have been so packed that I refused to take my children there again, on the grounds of health and safety. In others I have seen splinters in children’s legs and young children falling off unattended slides.

Church halls or gym rooms are the most uninviting places; usually cold and mostly dreary, and activities for babies and toddlers are lost in the atmosphere of the space.

Of course there are some good ones as well and in my mind these have always been the children’s centres, because you know you that your child will always be in a safe environment.

They have intimacy, such as corners of specific interest (books or themes) and difference (colours or sounds) that enlighten a child. Young children also like familiarity; I can’t envisage focussed services delivering these important aspects.

I welcome wider initiatives to utilise other spaces within the community, in particular outdoor spaces, but where specific buildings are compromised there is only so much that other premises and proprietors can accommodate.

Children's centres exist because they are needed, a need that far exceeds data-driven spreadsheets. Communities, not just current users, need consulting.

Any building or associated service closed would be gone forever; in Silsden this is least needed when so many hundreds of family homes are being built nearby.

Having access to a car is not an argument to say parents can travel. I don’t want to spend my whole day with a child in a car. A town the size of ‘ever-expanding’ Silsden should have its own family community hub.

I don’t want to drive with my child, spend petrol money when I can least afford it being on one income, nor get stuck in queues due to continuous roadworks.

I have to get back in time to pick up my other child at school but I will be stuck in a one-way system (Silsden’s proposed new school), visit isolated banks, post offices and pick up shopping. I don’t want to get stressed and I don’t want to get angry, but you do and you know you would.

Public buildings and services in our country are being stripped, ripping our friendships, communities, townships and country apart. We need dignity services and public buildings retaining within the community for our own sanity and for quality of life for our children and our children’s children. We need them for a cohesive society, making our life meaningful, workable and tolerable.

As council tax bills rise, I cannot see money being spent for services today or in foresight. Not only are the present Government cuts to blame, but blame also is with bureaucracy of councils. They should collaborate, communicate, facilitate and arm communities with tools and services for full or partial self-determination. Communities should be able to decide.

As people see and feel that everything is being taken from them, peace is unlikely. There is a saying: You reap what you sow. But without giving nourishment that crop will always be poor!

PAUL REDSHAW

Silsden

* E-mail your letters to alistair.shand@keighleynews.co.uk