East Anglia's Children's Hospices to close offices in response to pandemic
The charity has forecast an operational deficit of £2 million over the next 12 months
East Anglia's Children's Hospices has announced it will close two offices as part of a cost-saving programming.
The charity has decided not to renew the leases on its head office in Milton's High Street and its regional office at Ransomes Europark in Ipswich.
It is in response to a forecasted operational deficit of £2 million as a result of the ongoing pandemic.
Staff at both offices, totalling around 40, will continue a mix of working remotely and within hospice buildings.
EACH Chief Executive, Phil Gormley, said: "Our three hospices remain open and continue to provide care as we focus every penny on care delivery. However, staff in our offices have proved they can work remotely and will blend home working with using office space in our hospice buildings.
“Not renewing the leases was a fairly straightforward decision given the times we find ourselves in. This third lockdown, closing our shops, has meant putting over 120 members of staff back on furlough and standing down our 1,700 volunteers.
"While our fundraisers worked hard over the festive period, our latest forecasting shows an operational deficit of £2 million over the next 12 months. Once again, this illustrates why we need our service delivery underpinned by proper statutory funding."
Restrictions since the beginning of the pandemic, including the cancellation of many fundraisers and closure of shops for long periods, has had huge impacts on the charity.
Around £100,000 is lost each week shops are closed, and during 2020 EACH only received 16% of its income from statutory sources.
The charity also relies on over £6 million from trusts, major donors, businesses, community groups, individuals and events, as well as £5 million in income from its retail operation.
Throughout the pandemic there has been a surge in day-to-day requests for support from families who have been shielding and become exhausted from providing care alone, and in October EACH wrote to MPs across the region calling for more funding for short break care.
One of those who responded is MP for Colchester, Will Quince, who is hosting a virtual quiz in aid of the charity this evening (29 January).
You can find out more about the charity and how to support it via its website.