Surrey: Family support charity launches appeal in bid to survive

The charity, which supports young families in deprived areas, says it is facing closure

A charity which supports young families is facing closure following a drastic cut to its council funding.

Home Start Runnymede and Woking in Surrey is no longer receiving grants from key funders Surrey County and Woking Borough councils.

The charity said it had now started declining requests from those in need and reduced staff hours.

In June, Woking Borough Council issued a Section 114 notice, effectively declaring it bankrupt.

The charity was told earlier this year its two main grants from Surrey County Council, worth £72,000, were being axed or substantially reduced.

Meanwhile, Woking Borough Council, whose own debts are forecast to reach £2.6bn, had now cut its community grant.

The charity, which has worked with 600 families in the past two years, was reliant on its financial reserves and was prepared to wind up if "significant funding" could not be found.

'Fighting for survival'

Michael Parker, chair of the Board of Trustees said Home Start Runnymede and Woking's reserves would only allow it to provide services for the next few months.

Scheme manager Sarah Beasley said: "We pride ourselves on providing discrete but essential support in our communities.

"Our low key nature is working against us and we're one of many charities now fighting for survival."

Other local and national funders are being approached but managers fear, even if they are successful, those bids may not come through in time.

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