Age UK centre in Brierley Hill facing closure as £300k funding cut by Dudley Council
An activity centre for elderly people could be forced to close by early next year after the council axed £300,000 of its funding.
The Age UK Springboard activity centre based at the Waterfront, Brierley Hill, has had £300,000 of their funding cut by Dudley Council in recent weeks.
Bosses now say they face 'unprecedented times' and could close by January 2017 unless they get much-needed support.
Alison Pugh, acting co-ordinator, said: "We are in dire straits. We are out fundraising and doing as much as we can to raise awareness about our situation.
"We've been in Morrisons rattling our tins. We are still providing our services but the future is uncertain for us past December as these are unprecedented times.
"We aim to organise a big fundraising event in September and would love it if any local celebrities would get involved, too."
Some of the cuts will start take effect from September 30 with the biggest hit being from March 31.
The centre has also received funding from Big Lottery for the past six years but earlier this year their application for that was also refused.
The centre has 53 staff and more than 300 volunteers who run various health and wellbeing activities for those aged 50 to 100.
Christine Szygowski, chief executive officer, said: "This is disastrous and will impact services addressing loneliness and isolation, day opportunities, information and advice and helping people stay safe in their homes." To donate to the centre call 01384571830.
Council chiefs said the decision to cut funding was taken on the basis that the council needs to 'refocus its investment based on the budget they have available'.
Councillor Qadar Zada, the council's cabinet member for adult social care, added: "In the context of unprecedented cuts to funding from central government we have been forced to review the services we currently commission. We value all the work done by the voluntary sector and recognise it as a key partner for the local authority."
It comes as Dudley Council pulled the plug on £250,000 of funding to the charity that runs the Beacon Centre for the Blind. The Roseville Gateway Centre in Coseley, which is a day centre for dementia suffers, is also set to close in September.
The centre helps around 50 people a week but will shut its doors by September 30 following a review of dementia services in the Dudley borough.
