Society agrees on leaving present

The Children’s Society has saved a number of projects
which had been put in jeopardy after the charity’s shock
announcement last year that it was to leave Wales.

Under a new agreement, it will give the diocese of St David in
south west Wales more than £200,000 over the next three
years.
This will secure 16 jobs and allow family centres, youth projects,
play schemes and after-school clubs to continue to run.

In a statement, the Church in Wales said: “In recognition
of its breach of contract, the Children’s Society –
previously one of the partners in the partnership – has agreed to
meet in full its liability to the diocese up to and including 31
March 2005.”

The Reverend Roger Hughes, social responsibility officer for the
diocese, said: “We are confident that the resources are now
in place to ensure this vitally important work is able to continue
and that the period until 2005 will also provide an opportunity for
us to secure its future beyond that date.”