Link Centre suite named in councillor’s honour

Phil Harrison: honoured at Link House ceremony by his widow, Jenny

Union Street’s Link Centre has renamed its function suite in honour of the late local health and wellbeing champion Councillor Philip Harrison.

Councillor Harrison, who died of lung cancer in December 2012, had been cabinet member for social services and community health. He led the work that saw the Link Centre become a facility for independent living, giving people with a range of disabilities advice and support.

Councillor Harrison, who was a ward member for Royton South, helped forge Oldham’s reputation as a national leader in many areas of social care, working closely with the Department of Health.

Family, friends, colleagues and centre users paid tributes as the Philip Harrison Suite was officially named.

Councillor Jenny Harrison, Councillor Harrison’s widow and Oldham Council’s cabinet member for social care and public health, said: “Phil was a wonderful man who was always working to help people and communities. He had an infectious passion for improving residents’ health and wellbeing and helping the most vulnerable.

“To have a room renamed in his honour is brilliant; Phil would have been extremely touched.”