PROPOSALS are being considered to close the NSPCC's service centre in Tidworth and create a centralised hub instead.

The proposals, which are being consulted on, would see the charity's "face-to-face" work at its centre in the town "come to an end".

The children's charity says it is looking to change the way it runs some of its local services to help it "reach more communities".

NSPCC operates a service centre in Drummer Lane which provides programmes Pregnancy in Mind and Seeking Solutions.  

The charity's assistant director for the South West, Andrew Freeman, said: “Our mission is to prevent child abuse and we’re proposing a change to the way we run some of our local services to help us reach even more communities in Wiltshire.

“Childline will continue to be there for children in the county who have nowhere else to turn and our helpline will be there for adults who are worried about a child.

"Alongside this, we are proposing that a hub in Swindon would co-ordinate all of our work across the region, including direct services, local campaigns, community partnerships and a named person supporting every school in Wiltshire.

“But our face-to-face work from our base in Tidworth would come to an end. We’ve begun a consultation with staff and we’ll be listening to feedback and doing everything we can to support those affected.

“With less early or preventative help available for families, growing online safety concerns, and the impact of the pandemic, we are extremely worried about the risks facing children.

"We believe we can have the greatest impact with the funding we have by trying to prevent abuse and neglect before it happens and these proposals would help us achieve that aim across Wiltshire.”

The charity says all the children and families currently receiving an NSPCC service in Tidworth will be able to complete their programme of work under these proposals.