Charity 'thrilled' council cuts to service shelved

A charity which supports people with learning difficulties said it was "thrilled" that proposed cuts to its services would no longer go ahead.

The Grapevine said a proposed 45% budget cut to its Help and Connect service would not happen, following the council's consultation.

Coventry City Council had planned to make cuts to public services including the voluntary sector, but proposals were reversed following a boost in government funding.

The authority added the cash, alongside its "careful approach" to financial planning, meant not all cutbacks consulted on would be needed.

In a statement, the council added financial challenges were still there as it tried to deal with the impact of what it called "chronic historical under funding".

Dozens had protested against proposed cuts to the Grapevine, which said 7,000 adults in the city may lose out if plans went ahead.

Service users had previously feared the impact of the cuts, with one woman telling the BBC she would "go back into a hole" if the charity's Help and Connect programme was scrapped.

Grapevine's chief executive officer, Clare Wightman, thanked the council for listening to concerns but acknowledged it was in a "difficult position" and needed to make savings.

She said the local authority had "made the right decision for everyone".

"We're extremely pleased to have saved this grant for voluntary sector services that, in our case, helps prevent people from being exploited, scammed, abused, experiencing avoidable ill health and much more, Ms Wightman added.

"We're looking forward to supporting people in the same way we always were now and in the future, getting them out of crisis, helping them become less isolated and ultimately have a better life."

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