The family of a York woman said she was “absolutely dumbstruck” after finding out that her “lifeline” older person’s club will be closing after the council cut its funding for the service.

Eileen Lockwood, 96, has been attending two weekly older people clubs run by Age UK York for the past two years.

But, as The Press reported, on Thursday (August 29) the charity announced 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.

The charity said staff at the service were letting members know about other clubs and activities local to them.

Ms Lockwood’s nieces, Geraldine Williams and Angela Newdick, told The Press she found out two weeks before the announcement was made publicly.

“She was absolutely dumbstruck,” Ms Williams said. “‘I feel like I’ve lost my spirit,’ she told Angela.

“It’s like a lifeline to her.”

Ms Williams added: “She was really low… we do take her out but it’s not the same. She’s not with people her age.

“She said, ‘I just feel like nobody cares.’ It’s heartbreaking.”

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”.

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

He said he was “very sorry” that the service could not continue.

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”.

She added: "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."

Ms Williams said the cuts would affect the “most vulnerable members of the community”.

Ms Newdick questioned why the national charity Age UK could not fund the service.

“I think, Age UK, it’s a massive charity – I can’t understand why they can’t fund it [independently]. I just don’t understand,” she said.

But Mr Holmes told The Press that Age UK York works separately from the national Age UK charity, with all funding raised independently. 

He said Age UK York "would love to continue" the day clubs but cannot afford to fund the service itself.

Mr Holmes said it has "very limited means and resources" as a local charity.

"Whilst we don’t lack for great people, determination and a compassion to help, we cannot sadly afford to continue delivering the day club service as we have without the funding to cover it," he said.

Mr Holmes added: "Our work is made possible thanks to our local staff and volunteers and our kind supporters who generously entrust their donations to us or use our four charity shops across the city from donating items to making purchases.

"Every penny we raise goes right back to our work here in York."

'We’re so devastated about it'

Ms Williams and Ms Newdick said they have looked at alternative clubs for their aunt but have not found any that are suitable.

“We have looked and looked and there are morning coffee clubs, but there’s no transport,” Ms Newdick said.

“I can’t understand why there isn’t anything else in York that’s similar,” added Ms Williams. “We’re an ageing population.”

She said the people who attended the clubs – like her aunt – have been “left high and dry”.

“We’ve looked on the website we’ve been given and there’s nothing that’s the same. That shocks me in a city like York.

“We’re hoping we can find something we can put in place for her from September.”

Ms Lockwood, a widow who has lived in the same bungalow in Rawcliffe since 1961 and worked as a civil servant at the White House in Clifton before retiring, was “worried” about attending the day clubs at first, Ms Williams said.

But after she started going “the change in her was incredible”, said Ms Williams.

“It’s been a transformation of her character which is why we’re so devastated about it [closing].”