Age UK closes day club service for older people after funding cut

Age UK York said it was “very sad to announce” that nine of its day club groups will close from September 30, following the end of its current contract with City of York Council which commenced in 2017 and brings funding for it.

Day clubs will continue to run throughout September, a charity spokesperson said, with the Age UK York team working with and supporting all those who attend to explore and be able to access other opportunities and onward support in place across York.

Staff at the service are letting members know about other clubs and activities local to them, they added.

Simon Holmes, chief executive of Age UK York, said the charity would continue to “explore new opportunities, including funding and the generosity of volunteers, in being able to create a new offer for local residents into the future”.

Sara Storey, City of York Council’s director of adult social care, said the council’s budgets are under “ongoing and increasing pressures with government funding not keeping pace with the demands we face”.

At the day clubs, which Age UK York has been running for 30 years, the charity's trained team supports people across the city each week.

Residents “enjoy the opportunity to come together, enjoy a range of activities, access support, food and companionship”, said the charity spokesperson.

Age UK York also provides transport to and from the clubs at cost, charged at £12 per session per person to help make the clubs as accessible as possible.

“Those the charity supports are ever at the heart of their work and Age UK York recognises the impact on those affected,” the spokesperson added.

Despite funding being cut for the day clubs, the charity spokesperson said the council and the NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board will continue to fund its dementia day clubs which provide advice and support for older residents, as well as a shopping and befriending service.

The spokesperson said this change in funding “recognises the changing needs of older residents in York”.

This, they explained, includes research into its day clubs which revealed that about 50 per cent of attendees have a degree of memory impairment (mild memory or thinking problems) and in many cases have, or are awaiting, a dementia diagnosis.

'We will not stop as we continue to explore new opportunities,' says charity chief

Mr Holmes said he was “very sorry" to be closing the day clubs following the end of funding.

“We owe a huge thank you to our staff and volunteers, both past and present for the success of this service since 2017 and the wonderful role our clubs have made to those older residents who so rely on them,” he said.

“A special thank you too to all those who have used our clubs and entrusted Age UK York in being a small part of their own story and the fun and laughter along the way.”

Simon Holmes, chief executive of Age UK York (Image: Supplied)

“I would also like to thank colleagues at City of York Council who gave us notice of this need to end the older people’s community support contract for funding reasons.”

He added that the charity has worked closely with the council and will continue to do so to support older residents in York.

Mr Holmes said alternative methods of funding for the day club were explored but “despite a lot of hard work and our continued efforts the necessary funding has not been secured and so the day clubs cannot continue in their current form”.

He added: “The day club service has been an important part of our approach to tackle this and we have been planning with the support of City of York Council and others in the lead up to the end of this contract.

“We will not stop as we continue to explore new opportunities, including funding and the generosity of volunteers, in being able to create a new offer for local residents into the future.”

'Our budgets are under ongoing and increasing pressures,' says council boss

Ms Storey said the “difficult decision” was made early this year when the council asked Age UK York to “begin signposting day club users to other suitable activities local to them”.

“We're reviewing our overall budget alongside existing community contracts that we fund, in order to identify priority areas for funding going forward in line with residents' identified needs.

“Our budgets are under ongoing and increasing pressures with government funding not keeping pace with the demands we face."

She thanked Age UK for working with the council ahead of “this change in provision”.

“Together, we're committed to supporting activities that meet older residents' needs – including continued social contact,” she said.

Ms Storey added: "Encouraging social contact and combating isolation are important priorities for the council so besides the continued funding for the dementia day clubs, we're working with Age UK York to provide advice and support services for older residents, a shopping service and a befriending service.

“We're also promoting local events where residents can make friends without having to travel.”