Community centres are some of the most poorly understood services in Nottingham by those who do not work in them or rely on them. The way in which the approach to these centres has so dramatically shifted in a matter of weeks shows this misunderstanding was no more apparent than at Nottingham City Council.

The commissioners overseeing the council and some of the current leadership seemed to be of the implicit view that these centres were 'nice to haves' - delivering good work in the community, but work which in dire financial times, the city could do without. The initial period of Nottinghamshire Live's Protect Nottingham Community Centres campaign has shone a spotlight on how misguided and, ultimately, dangerous that view is.

What we have witnessed have not been 'nice to have' services. We have seen support groups for rape survivors, counselling sessions that have helped........

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