Funding pressure forces closure of Carers’ Society Otago

THE Carers’ Society Otago has been wound up because of funding woes, but moves are being made to establish a similar body to support its up to 500 members.

Former society chairwoman Tracylee Fisher said the society had been wound up after a vote by 20 society members at a special meeting in Dunedin on Monday.

‘‘People expressed sadness and disappointment and frustration that this had happened,’’ because of financial reasons, Mrs Fisher said.

A government funding cut in 2014 had removed $40,000 in annual income, and charitable bodies faced growing competitive pressures within their field to gain sufficient funds.

The worst effects were on people providing care for family members young and older, and for the two parttime community workers the society had employed, she said.

Trevor Laing and his daughter Emma Laing are the liquidators, and Mr Laing said it appeared there could be insufficient funds to pay out all of the redundancy entitlements of the two workers.

Dunedin MultiEthnic Council immediate past president Paul Gourlie and Leslie Groves facility manager Max Reid said they wanted to help establish a new carers’ organisation, after a review of the previous operation.

Mr Gourlie said the society had given him invaluable help during the six years he had supported his mother, Geraldine Aphra Gourlie, at home before her death in 2012.

‘‘Lots of things they did for me. ‘‘It meant that carers were able to be carers,’’ he said.

Another home carer said the society’s loss also ‘‘impacts on the entire health and disability sector as well’’.

Mr Reid said the society’s demise had come at a ‘‘tragic time’’ of great need for support by home carers, and he was keen for another body to be set up, perhaps early next year, after a review to learn any lessons from the previous situation.

Key benefits from the society for home carers included: information about where to gain support; advocacy help; and providing a network of fellow carers, he said.