A carers support charity is set to close after it decided not to bid for a council contract to provide services in the region, the charity has announced.
Swindon Carers Centre will begin a phased wind-down in the coming months and officially close at the end of December after 28 years of supporting carers.
The charity said it made the “difficult decision” to not submit a bid for a contract for carers services provided by Swindon Borough Council.
Swindon Carers Centre recorded an income of £809,194, costs of £1m and had 38 employees, according to its accounts for the year to the end of March 2024.
The contract has been awarded to the Cornwall Rural Community Charity, which has 30 years of experience supporting carers.
“Many of the staff employed by Swindon Carers Centre will transfer over to the new provider, ensuring carers continue to receive support from staff who they know and who are part of the local community,” the council said in a statement.
Neither the charity nor the council responded to questions from Third Sector about how many staff this would affect and whether any would be made redundant.
Swindon Carers Centre said it would continue to provide services until December.
“As SCC winds down, it is working collaboratively with CRCC to ensure a smooth transition of services and continuity of support for the carers who rely on them,” the charity said.
“Further updates will be released on both SCC’s and CRCC’s websites in the coming months.”
The charity’s contract with Swindon Borough Council started in 2018 and was meant to run until the end of 2022 before it was extended until the end of 2024, according to its accounts.
Claire Smith, charity director at Swindon Carers Centre, said: “Over nearly three decades, Swindon Carers Centre has stood beside unpaid carers – listening, supporting and advocating.
“It has been a genuine privilege to work alongside and support so many dedicated carers, staff, volunteers and partners throughout this time.
“Closing SCC is not a decision we have taken lightly.”
The charity has launched a legacy fund to “carry its mission forward for years to come” following its closure.
Through the fund, Swindon Carers Centre will work with the Wiltshire Community Foundation and the marketing agency GEL Studios to provide ongoing support to projects and initiatives that enhance carers’ wellbeing and help them prioritise their own physical and emotional health, the charity said.
“Through the legacy fund, and with the help of WCF and GEL Studios in shaping this vision, we’re ensuring that our mission doesn’t end – it evolves,” Smith said.
Katherine Nissen, chief executive of the Cornwall Rural Community Charity, said: “CRCC is excited to bring a wealth of experience and innovative approaches, honed over decades of dedicated service, directly to Swindon.
“We understand that change can be a challenging and complicated process, particularly when it concerns essential support services.
“We want to offer our sincerest reassurance to carers in Swindon that we are listening, and we are genuinely keen to build strong, trust-based relationships with each and every one of Swindon’s carers.”