Budget cuts kill off North Ayrshire Care Partners service
NORTH Ayrshire Council have pulled the plug on a charity who offer a befriending service to the disabled and their families.
The cruel decision was made last week as 100 families who rely on the service to offer them a lifeline were sent letters informing them the service was to be axed with immediate effect.
From April 1, the child services will be cut and Care Partners will only be able to function for a few months.
At the moment the service offers:
- A befriending service.
- A Saturday club for children under 12.
- A group for 12 to 17-year-olds.
- An adult group for 18 and overs.
- Playschemes during school holidays.
Julie Gibb, of Care Partners, was devastated by the council’s decision.
“We have been a valuable service provider in North Ayrshire for 16 years, providing a befriending and group network service to children and adults with disabilities.
“We were left shocked to be told that £207,000 of funding is being withdrawn – that’s 90 per cent of our allocation from the local authority.
“We had no warning and therefore, no time to source other funding as the deadline for outside grants has passed.
“We have since found out this was a deliberate step by the council and we find this unacceptable.
“There is now a gap for these families and by social services’ own admission, they have no idea what they are going to do with the families who are losing the service as there is no alternative to offer them.
“We can offer a limited service over the next few months but from April 1 half our child service users will be losing the service.
“It is a disgrace and heartbreaking as these families depend on us.”
One mum from Kilwinning whose teenage son uses the service was outraged.
The woman, who asked not to be named, said: “The people who take away the budgets have no idea the knock-on effect this will have on families in North Ayrshire.
“It offers our son a lifeline to the community and gives us time too.
“It’s unbelievable that this could happen.”
