Care services at risk as donations dry up

Charity says it is facing problems

A CHARITY supporting older people in Hinckley and Bosworth says its services are under threat due to budget cuts and a lack of donations.

Age UK Leicestershire and Rutland said the situation has become “very worrying”.

A combination of funding cuts from local authorities and a lack of donations at its stores, including Hinckley’s Castle Street shop, is to blame, bosses said.

Executive director Anthony Donovan said new sources of income will need to be found if services in the borough and elsewhere in Leicestershire are to continue.

He said: “The situation is very worrying and everything we have heard from funders, including Leicestershire County Council and West Leicestershire Clinical Commissioning Group, is that the situation is going to get worse.

“There will be further funding cuts with more difficult decisions being made.”

He said the success of Hinckley and Earl Shilton’s charity shops are “essential” to keeping services operational in the borough.

But in recent months donations have dried up and the quality of items has diminished.

He added: “The shops, if supported by the local population, have the potential to raise large amounts of money that Age UK can set aside for service provision.

“Successful sales figures however are dependent upon good quality donations of goods and this is where were are having a problem.

“In recent months the volume of donations has decreased significantly, possibly because people are choosing to hold on to their clothing and other items much longer.

“Or perhaps they are selling it on eBay or at carboot sales in order to generate money for themselves.”

He urged people to donate clothing, bric-a-brac and furniture in order to protect services for elderly people.

Some of the services at risk include day care, home help, befriending schemes, lunch clubs, fitness classes and reading groups.

He said all money raised in its Hinckley and Earl Shilton shops are reinvested back in borough services.

Residents can arrange for their furniture to be collected by Age UK by calling the shop on Hinckley 234466.

A spokesman for Leicestershire County Council said: ”We’re facing significant financial pressures which, regrettably, has led to some reductions in the level and types of services we commission from Age UK.

“People with care needs who receive direct payments from the council are also free to buy services directly from voluntary sector organisations to give them greater choice and control.

“We also encourage groups to consider applying for a community grant ahead of the scheme re-launching in April as long as they can demonstrate how these projects meet the council’s targets and priorities, particularly around supporting groups of vulnerable people.”

To find out more about applying for a community grant, visit www.leicestershirecommunities. org.uk/grants