A group of charities that has had its funding withdrawn by Lincolnshire County Council will protest against the decision today (Friday).
The group, made up of eight Home-Start Schemes, including one in South Holland, has said the removal of 100 per cent of its local authority funding from October 1 means many of them may not survive long enough to secure other income.
The cuts could see 560 vulnerable families lose support and the role of 500 volunteers put at risk.
The schemes provide free, emotional confidential support and practical help for families facing difficulties.
Support is provided by carefully selected and trained volunteers who have parenting experience, and support is tailored depending on the needs of the family.
Ericka Moon, from Home-Start South Holland, said: “We understand that these are challenging times, and that all local authorities are having to make tough decisions that affect people’s lives.
“As a group of small charities we are working hard to find other, sustainable funding and looking at how we can provide the best value services.
“To cut all of our funding like this means that some schemes may not survive long enough to secure their future. Effective early intervention has been shown to save money in the long run.”
Supporter and volunteer Julia Richardson, who has been with Home-Start since 2009, is gravely concerned.
She said: “Home-Start provides a crucial part of early years intervention and is staffed by an extremely dedicated team who will always go the extra mile to ensure that families and volunteers whatever their needs are accommodated for.
“The work that has to go into keeping this invaluable charity going, particularly from a funding perspective, should be applauded and the benefits that are gained from those families that need that little extra help are immense.”
Coun Patricia Bradwell, executive councillor for Children’s Services, said: “In this difficult financial climate when we have to find substantial savings, we have to prioritise those essential, frontline services, which has meant that Home-Start will no longer receive funding from the county council.
“The contract with Home-Start has reached its natural end and we have had to review what is provided as we do with all our contracts.
“We recognise groups like Home-Start provide good support to many people but this isn’t one of our statutory services and we have to protect frontline children’s services such as safeguarding and fostering and adoption, ahead of any other funding support we give.
“We have also been supporting other providers of similar services in the market to promote their offers and our children’s centres will continue to provide good support for families and their children – I’d advise parents and carers to check out their local centre.”
