Leven-based charity worried for the future after cuts to funding

A charity has hit out at funding cuts which will see it struggle to survive next year.

Fife Council has informed Arden House Projects, which provides day care services for older people and those with dementia, that funding is to be slashed by 2.5% – around £4,500 – from April 2018 as part of the local authority’s bid to cut costs in the voluntary sector.

The organisation, which has a small core of paid staff but relies on volunteers, said the cut will make a “vast difference in how day care will be run” and called on Fife Council to rethink its decision.

“If things get really bad we might close, but we’ll hang on and try the best we can,” said manager Margaret Gear.

“How do we turn around and say to someone, ‘We can’t give you day care,’ when people are relying on it? We’re almost at breaking point.”

Volunteers are essential in the delivery of day centre services, serving teas and lunches, assisting with activities and interacting with members.

Fiona McKay, head of strategic planning, performance and commissioning for the Fife health and social care partnership, said: “The health and social care joint board recently made a decision to reduce funding to the voluntary sector by 2.5% from April 2018 and asked organisations to look at how they could make efficiencies.

“In the past, Arden House has had funding increases of between 1% and 2.5% but last year there was no increase and unfortunately this year a saving will be required.

“This was a difficult decision but as the partnership has a significant financial pressure, we need all services to continue to look for savings.”