Funding Crisis Threatens Support for 140 Disabled People and Over 400 Jobs

A charity supporting 140 disabled individuals in North Wales, Anheddau, is struggling to survive due to a significant increase in national insurance contributions, which has left it with a funding deficit of £400,000. The charity's CEO, Claire Higgins, warned that without further support from local authorities, Anheddau's future is uncertain, and the jobs of over 400 staff are under threat. This crisis mirrors the plight of another charity, Cymryd Rhan, which was forced to fold earlier this year due to similar financial difficulties.

Key Takeaways:

• Anheddau, a charity supporting 140 disabled individuals in North Wales, is facing a funding crisis due to a national insurance contributions hike, leaving it with a £400,000 deficit.
• The charity's CEO, Claire Higgins, warned that without further support from local authorities, Anheddau's future is uncertain, and the jobs of over 400 staff are under threat.
• Anheddau has been providing essential services to individuals with autism, learning disabilities, mental health, and other needs for over 35 years, and its closure would mean that local authorities would have to take over the support services themselves.
• Care Forum Wales, a representative body for 450-plus care homes and health providers, warns that Anheddau's plight is symptomatic of the broader social care sector problems.
• Chairman Mario Kreft called for councils to provide a funding rescue package to save Anheddau, highlighting the difficulties in social care that councils do not seem to understand.
• Policy advisor Thea Brain emphasized that Anheddau is a key player in Welsh service provision but still needs local authorities to cover the national insurance hike.

Statistics:

• £400,000: The estimated funding deficit facing Anheddau due to the national insurance contribution hike.
• 400+: The number of Anheddau employees whose jobs are under threat.
• 140: The number of disabled individuals supported by Anheddau.
• 35+: The years Anheddau has been providing essential services to individuals with autism, learning disabilities, mental health, and other needs.
• 450+: The number of care homes, nursing homes, and health and social care providers represented by Care Forum Wales.
• 15%: The increased national insurance contributions rate after April this year.
• £12.60: The new real living wage rate employers are expected to pay employees.
• 8%: The increased funding level each local authority would need to offer Anheddau to cover its costs.

Sources:

• WalesOnline article "Funding crisis threatens support for 140 disabled people and over 400 jobs" by Steve Bagnall (newsdesk@walesonline.co.uk).
• Anheddau charity.
• Care Forum Wales (CFW).