Carers' support charity saved from closure

Jane Evans of West Norfolk Carers had previously said the charity was a victim of the "cost-of-giving" crisis

A carers' charity that was on the brink of closure due to funding concerns has been saved.

West Norfolk Carers announced in January that it would close in March, making nine staff redundant.

Now the charity, which has been supporting families for more than 30 years, has partnered with Queen Elizabeth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Marion Coleman, chair of trustees, said: "Everybody is really excited and it's really important also for our young carers... they were going to be very disappointed if we didn't continue but the fact we are able to do so has been really welcome."

The charity, which has more than 4,000 people on its books, including 300 children, had been due to close last Thursday.

It had suffered due to what its chief executive Jane Evans called a "cost of giving crisis".

In a joint statement, the charity said it was to partner with Queen Elizabeth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to support patients when they were discharged from hospital.

The organisations said they hoped the service would help people feel less alone and isolated during their recovery.

West Norfolk Carers said it would remain an independent charity and continue to support its young carer and dementia groups, and carers of all ages.

The charity is now in the process of moving its office from Thoresby College, King's Lynn to the trust.