Local charities hit by funding and grant cuts
A Shropshire MP says she is ‘greatly saddened’ to see much-loved local charities being hit by significant losses in local authority funding and grant aid.
One of them, the Shrewsbury Furniture Scheme, is being forced to shut down completely while another, Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin, has had to cease a range of its services for older people.
Shrewsbury MP Julia Buckley, who has visited both charities over the past few days, said: “Two absolutely brilliant local charities have been hit hard recently by either reductions in their local authority funding or by their bids for grant aid proving unsuccessful.
“I visited the extraordinary people who have been running the Shrewsbury Furniture Scheme, which will unfortunately close on March 27.
“This caring local charity has supported low-income families for more than 30 years, but can’t continue without sustainable funding. A huge thank you goes out to the team of trustees, staff and volunteers who have been an amazing part of our community for three decades. We wish them well.”
Mrs Buckley said the grant aid available to the scheme was not sufficient to keep it running.
All remaining furniture held by the scheme is free to a good home if people are able to collect – or for a delivery charge (£15) if needed. The organisation is based at Unit 9b, Hartley Business Centre, 272–284 Monkmoor Road, Shrewsbury SY2 5ST, open Monday–Friday, 10am–4pm (closed weekends).
“It’s such a shame to see the end of an era,” said Mrs Buckley. “I am greatly saddened.”
Meanwhile, Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin has said it remains committed to supporting older people despite losing ‘a significant amount of funding’ from Shropshire Council.
It is now calling upon the public for urgent financial support.
Mrs Buckley said: “This is another terribly sad example of a fine local charity being forced to re-think its future due to funding issues.”
In a statement, Age UK STW said: “The local charity has received funding from the council for decades to help provide a lifeline for older people in Shropshire including day centres, befriending services and a wide range of activity groups. From April 1 these services will be delivered by another organisation.
“Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin will continue to provide the following services: information and advice, help at home, dementia support, and a wide range of activity groups in Telford & Wrekin and south Shropshire.
“In addition, Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin is now calling on the public for urgent financial support as it continues with its 75th Anniversary Fundraising Appeal.
“It’s important for people to understand that, although the loss of this funding will have a significant impact on us as a small local charity, we are still here and will continue to do everything we can to help older people across Shropshire.”
