A REHABILITATION centre for stroke victims has been saved from closure thanks to last-minute funding.

As exclusively revealed in the Bury Times last year, Speakeasy, based at Christ Church Hall, Walmersley, faced a bleak future after Bury Health Care NHS Trust announced crucial funding cuts, claiming the treatment was "clinically ineffective."

Health chiefs then did a U-turn and decided to extend funding which was due to run out at the end of March.

Now the charity, running for 15 years, has clinched a last-minute deal with the Bury and Rochdale Health Authority, who will fund the charity for the next two years through the Health Action Zone (HAZ).

Ms Stephanie Holland, Speakeasy trustee, was delighted with the news.

"Inspired by the Bury Times, the people of Bury have got behind the campaign to save Speakeasy. I would like to thank everyone who has written to the trust, the health authority, local MPs and GPs." The charity has been plagued with problems during the last 12 months. Until last year the it was based at Fairfield Hospital but was forced to make room for an expansion of the breast screening unit.

Now Ms Holland says the volunteers, staff and 30 members are looking forward to a brighter future.

"The health authority has supported us because it has been proved that the service we provide is clinically effective. Speakeasy is a major component in the rehabilitation process of stroke recovery."

The charity is the only rehabilitation centre for people with speech and communication difficulties in the area and provides both health and social care for its members.

The HAZ, which will receive a share of the £30 million government cash set aside for the scheme, aims to improve the general health of the borough and reduce health and social inequalities. Priority area targeted by the HAZ include the elderly, ethnic minorities, children and young people under 25 and anti-smoking.

The money that has been allocated to Speakeasy will come under the elderly priority as most of the members are elderly patients.

Speakeasy is now working with other carer organisations in the borough with hopes of building a new carers' centre.

"The future looks much brighter and we are all absolutely delighted that our centre has been saved," said Ms Holland.

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