A CHARITY that helps thousands of carers in Bolton says it could be forced to close – due to “unrealistic and unsustainable” funding cuts.

Bolton Carers Support, based at the Thicketford Centre in Tonge Moor, supports 3,500 carers in Bolton and says demand for its services has more than doubled in eight years.

The organisation, which provides advice, social activities, a helpline and respite breaks, has seen its funding from Bolton Council reduce drastically over the last five years.

The authority recently launched an online portal for charity funding bids – The Chest – but has set a maximum limit of £50,000 for each grant.

Bolton Carers Support, which has seven members of staff, has made one post redundant with three other jobs – including the chief officer post – also at risk.

The charity’s helpline is running on reduced hours and bosses have been forced to use the majority of its reserves to pay for running costs and staff salaries.

Michelle Clarke, chief officer of Bolton Carers Support, said: “We made Bolton Council aware of the impact their funding decisions have had, and the response was that no additional funding was available.

“We provide the only borough-wide information and advice service for all carers over the age of 18 and it will be a real loss if the service has to close due to the unrealistic and unsustainable level of funding and expectations on the part of Bolton Council.

“While staff are worried about their jobs, they are much more concerned that carers in Bolton are being short-changed due to a lack of investment in carers services.”

Five years ago Bolton Carers Support received a contract tender of £140,000 from Bolton Council but this figure has reduced each year since.

Last year the charity received £61,000 from the council and £30,000 from the CCG.

Bolton Carers Support was awarded Big Lottery funding of almost £500,000 to fund a five-year health, wealth and wellbeing project which launched in April.

However, the cash is only delivered in six-month chunks on the understanding that specific targets are met – and staff say if the charity does not receive enough core funding it will lose the grant.

Peter Harmer, activities coordinator, said: “A small investment now could save the council and the NHS millions in future.

“We see firsthand the difference our support makes, and you cannot put a price on that.”

All charities who bid for carers grants through The Chest will receive up to £50,000 for a two-year scheme or up to £5,000 for a 12-month project.

The same limits apply to Prevention Grants – but Bolton Council said the total amount of cash available to charities in the borough had not been reduced.

A spokesman for Bolton Council said: “We are committed to supporting our most vulnerable residents, and have ring-fenced the same amount for both the carers and preventative grant schemes as in previous years.

“Funding will be allocated to schemes of specific activity which can successfully demonstrate that they can deliver outcomes.

“Applicants can apply for both grants, plus further funding in later rounds should they wish to deliver more than one activity.

“All organisations were invited to a series of information, consultation and training events to explain the application process.

“We have an ageing population and we need to ensure that the right type of services are being delivered in the areas and to the people who need them the most.

“We are unable to comment on individual cases as we are in the middle of the grant programme and funding has yet to be agreed and allocated.”

For more information on Bolton Carers Support, or to make a donation go to boltoncarersupport.org.uk or call the helpline on 01204 363056.