Shropshire charity jobs to go as Lottery funding lost
A Shropshire charity that helps young families in need is closing an office and making three staff redundant after failing to secure future lottery funding.
Home-Start Shropshire says the loss of £100,000 of funding means staff redundancies and families losing opportunities for vital support.
The charity is closing its office in Shrewsbury, based in the Roy Fletcher Centre.
However it has been able to retain its Ludlow office, meaning the number of redundancies is lower than was originally feared. Three part-time members of staff will lose their jobs with four staff retaining their posts.
Home-Start Shropshire provides support to families, who have at least one child under five years of age, offering non-judgmental support, friendship and practical assistance.
It says trustees, managers and staff have been working closely together since being unsuccessful in securing lottery funds, to find ways of reducing costs while still providing a service to as many children and their families as possible.
Radical changes
Annette Judges, chair of trustees, said: "Regrettably it became very clear to trustees that we needed to make radical changes so as to reduce costs dramatically and then build on that solid foundation for the future."
Discussions are taking place with other charities about how best to maintain a visible presence in the north of the county when Ludlow becomes its main office base.
Claire Jackson, scheme manager said: "We have been working closely with the staff to find ways of continuing to work with families across the whole county as well as offering our staff as much help and support as possible at this difficult time."
"The redundancies reflect the very real challenges facing Home-Start Shropshire in light of increasing financial pressures following the failure to secure further Lottery Funding. The shortfall in secured funds is considerable at £100,000 in the next financial year.
"In addition Home-Start Shropshire faces, as do all charities, a challenging environment of shrinking and harder to access funds. Home-Start Shropshire has been supporting children and their families in the county for over 30 years and will continue to do so."
Pledge to keep on helping families
Home-Start in Shropshire has spent more than 30 years supporting families with at least one child under the age of five who are finding it hard to cope. Despite having to make cutbacks this year, it has pledged to continue that support.
Families can refer themselves, or be referred to Home-Start Shropshire schemes by any agency, for example a health visitor, social worker, family support worker or nursery teacher.
Volunteers are matched to families and then spend time each week visiting and providing help, be it practical or emotional.
Claire Jackson from Home Start said: “Sometimes parents need a bit of help and may be finding it hard to cope for all sorts of reasons – ill health, disability, postnatal illness, bereavement or loneliness. We offer non-judgmental support, friendship and practical assistance.
“The success of Home-Start support is dependent on the relationship that develops between the family and the volunteer, so co-ordinators make every effort to link sensitively and appropriately.
“Volunteers provide continuous, regular support for a period of time consistent with a family`s needs.
“We believe that children need a happy and secure childhood.”
