Coventry charity saved from budget cuts
Coventry charity “thrilled” that proposed council cuts to its service for people with learning disabilities will not go ahead
A charity in Coventry and Warwickshire has received confirmation that they will not face budget cuts.
Grapevine, a charity which supports vulnerable adults with learning difficulties, were told by Coventry City Council that they may face a 45 per cent budget cut towards the end of last year.
If the cut had gone ahead, around £750,000 would have been taken out of the current £1.5m funding made available for voluntary services, affecting 12 organisations in Coventry, including Grapevine.
The budget proposal was met with strong opposition from Grapevine, alongside the people and families they support.
The charity proceeded to organise demonstrations and petitions to make their voices heard against the proposed cuts.
Since then, Coventry City Council say that the proposed cuts will not go ahead as fewer savings are needed than first feared - they are ten million pounds better off than they previously predicted.
Grapevine CEO Clare Wightman said: “We are thrilled with the news that the proposed cut will not go ahead.
“We want to thank Coventry City Council for listening to our concerns, those of other professionals and crucially, people and their families who would have been most affected by this cut.
“We acknowledge the council is in a difficult position, needing to make savings in order to deliver a balanced budget for the coming year.
“But they have fully taken on board what we’ve said about the potential impact of this cut and made the right decision for everyone.
“We’re extremely pleased to have saved this grant for voluntary sector services that, in our case, helps prevent people from being exploited, scammed, abused, experiencing avoidable ill health and much more.
“We’re looking forward to supporting people in the same way we always were now and in the future - getting them out of crisis, helping them become less isolated and ultimately have a better life.
“Thank you to everyone who has helped our campaign reach far and wide and have an impact on the council’s final decision.
“We don’t want people and their families to have to worry there is no support out there for them and we hope this level of grant from the council will continue - not just for this year but for future years too.”