A COMMUNITY charity has said it will close down after decades of supporting suffering and vulnerable residents in Basildon.

Basildon, Billericay and Wickford Council for Voluntary Service (BBW CVS) says demand for their help "has never been higher" and without new investment, they would not be able to continue the work it does.

It has sent shock waves across the community, with fears about the future support for the homeless, survivors of abuse and "vital local initiatives".

Since last December, the charity has provided more than 1,000 bed stays for homeless people and guidance and support for Basildon's most vulnerable.

It was "a pioneering force" during the Covid-19 pandemic, being among the first organisations to set up vaccination and testing clinics staffed by volunteers. This was even recognised in Parliament.

Andy Barnes, leader of the Basildon Tories, said: "I'm alarmed and concerned to hear of the proposed closure of the Basildon, Billericay and Wickford Council for Voluntary Service. It has provided emergency night shelters for the homeless, help for survivors of abuse, as well as countless other vital local initiatives."

A spokesman for BBW CVS said: "We already operate with a skeleton staff and have embedded numerous cost-saving measures to maintain our services. However, the financial strain has now become unsustainable. Unlike other community provisions, our homeless night shelter and asylum seeker and refugee support have not received statutory funding in recent years, placing immense strain on our financial stability.  

"Demand for our volunteer brokerage service has never been higher, with increasing expectations that volunteers will be the solution to many public service needs. However, without adequate investment, we cannot sustain or expand this essential support.  

"We remain unwavering in our mission to support our community and will continue to operate at the highest standards, advocating for those in need for as long as possible. However, the board has been closely monitoring the future financial sustainability of the organisation in conjunction with their legal responsibilities as directors and trustees. Unfortunately, we have concluded we are now about to reach the point where we must take action to ensure an orderly closure that protects ongoing projects, staff and stakeholders."

It is holding a general meeting on Thursday May 29 at 2pm online to discuss the implications of the closure of our charity.

The charity is based at The George Hurd Centre, Audley Way, Basildon.