Charity closing after 28 years over lack of funds

A charity providing support for families with young children has announced it will close because of funding challenges.

Home-Start Staffordshire Moorlands, based in Leek, will shut on 30 June after 28 years of helping families who have children aged under five years old.

In a statement on its website, the charity said the decision had not been taken lightly and was made "with great sadness".

"Like a number of other small local charities, we have been facing increasing funding challenges in recent years, with fewer grants available and growing competition for limited resources," they said.

"It is now impossible for us to continue delivering our services in a sustainable way.

"Despite the dedication of our amazing volunteers and supporters, we have reached a point where closing is the only viable option."

The charity said they were "deeply grateful" to everyone who supported their work over the years.

The spokesperson continued: "We are proud of what we have achieved together.

"Without our volunteers, many families would be left in isolation, often at the very edge of crisis."

Home-Start Staffordshire Moorlands's announcement came just weeks after bosses at charity Staffordshire Sight Loss Association confirmed they might have to close.

That organisation, based in Stoke-on-Trent, also cited financial difficulties and launched an emergency appeal to try to raise £100,000 by the end of April.

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