Charity Community First urges action on funding cuts to services in Hampshire
The cuts will affect some of Community First’s services including transport and mobility services
Leading charity Community First met with organisations in the voluntary sector last week, to discuss the impact of funding cuts to vital community services in Hampshire.
Groups gathered at an AGM hosted by Community First, to celebrate achievements of the voluntary sector and outline ambitious a strategy for the future, including how to minimise the impact of funding cuts proposed by Hampshire County Council.
The local authority’s proposal to meet a £132 million budget shortfall by 2025 was approved in November and from January the public will be invited to provide further feedback on its plans to reduce funding and change some local services across the county.
Funding cuts will affect some of Community First’s services including transport, mobility services and START which helps survivors of sexual abuse, as well as the infrastructure support it gives its members and voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations. This includes vital support with fundraising, volunteer recruitment and training.
At its AGM, Community First said the reduced funding for community services risks leaving people isolated and, in some cases, unable to leave their homes. It said more should be done to make people aware of the council’s plans and difficult decisions they have to make, and help them to understand the impact, ahead of the next round of consultations.
Chief Executive Tim Houghton said: “We continue to recognise the difficult decisions that councils are facing in balancing budgets with rising costs and demand for social care and children’s services, and call on Government to invest in long term support for community services.
“It would be more cost effective to sustain investment in the voluntary sector, forging long term partnerships which lessen the burden on local authorities and NHS. Also drawing on the community expertise, local charities and volunteers to help people lead happy and healthy lives.”
Community First urge customers and Hampshire residents to contact their County Councillors and MPs highlighting the impact of these cuts.
The AGM event also addressed other challenges faced by the voluntary sector, including recruiting volunteers and accessing new sources of income. Speakers included Tim Houghton, Bertie Hertage, The Crowdfunding Coach and Dr Debra Gray, Reader in Social Psychology at University of Winchester.