Wiltshire Mind
Mental health charity has financed itself using its reserves for the past two years
A mental health charity in Wiltshire will shut in December after a two-year funding battle.
Wiltshire Mind, an affiliate organisation of the national mental health charity Mind, provides care and support to people affected by mental health problems. It has been running since 1993.
In a statement, Wiltshire Mind said it "had found it almost impossible to obtain core funding" for expenditure such as building costs and utility bills. The charity will cease its counselling and support operations by 16 November before closing in mid-December.
The charity’s local authority funding was cut in 2010 and a bid for renewed funding proved unsuccessful, so it has spent the past two years financing itself withreserves. The charity also sold one of its offices, applied for a variety of grants and set up a funding arm, Friends of Wiltshire Mind, to try to bolster its finances.
The latest published accounts show the charity's income was £89,792 in 2010/11 and its spending was £191,379.
Wiltshire Mind employs 10 staff and receives support from about 13 volunteers. The charity runs eight groups that provide support to almost 100 people.
Carolyn Long, general manager at Wiltshire Mind, said: "This decision to close has been taken with great reluctance – but sadly there does not seem to be any alternative because we have not been able to find the money needed to run Wiltshire Mind on a day-to-day basis.
"We are making every effort to signpost our service users to other organisations and will work to ensure that we offer them all possible support. We are also ensuring that our staff, who have shown great dedication, are supported throughout this difficult time and in seeking future employment."
Long said she still hoped that additional funds might be found to continue the charity's work.
