A WELFARE charity could be forced to make job cuts if it fails to find alternative funding to make up for Government spending reductions.
The Citizens’ Advice Bureau’s South Derbyshire branch has claimed four specialist debt advisors would become unaffordable in the wake of possible budget cuts in March.
The charity, based in Church Street, Church Gresley, is currently the only free debt advice service in the region. If attempts to replace the ‘financial inclusion fund’, which expires in March, are unsuccessful then the free debt advice could be lost.
Lynsey Hornsby, the charity’s information officer, said: “The chief executive is constantly applying for additional funding.
“We are hopeful that the financial inclusion fund can be replaced by new forms of funding.
“But if we cannot do this then we will no longer be able to have specialist money advice case workers.”
The charity employs a mixture of paid staff and volunteers. While the service is not under threat of closure, there is a risk some paid staff could lose their jobs.
Mrs Hornsby continued: “We are also going to get in touch with big local companies and ask them whether they will help sponsor some of our projects.
“In the past companies like Lloyds TSB and Britannia have donated.” Mrs Hornsby said despite looming funding cuts, members of staff were in good spirits.
“We need to keep this service going. If we do not, vulnerable people will suffer,” she said.
“Many of our clients have mental health issues and need real help.
“We are all troopers who plough through and make the most of it.”
The charity has written to South Derbyshire’s MP Heather Wheeler asking for her support in saving the service.
The letter reads: “The financial inclusion fund has benefitted individuals, businesses, and the council in South Derbyshire.
“We would urge you to lobby for the continuation of support for money advice casework in your constituency.”
