A lifeline Angus charity which has helped thousands of vulnerable people start in new homes has been forced to close its doors after more than a decade.
Starter Packs Angus (SPA) will shut at the end of this month after the board of the Arbroath-based organisation took the “tough” decision in the face of a funding shortage.
However, officials are clinging to the hope the service may rise from the ashes if a partnership can be struck with another organisation.
Starter Packs Angus was established by Scottish Churches Housing Action, Angus Council and local churches as a direct response to the serious problems of homelessness in the county.
The charity, which operates from Arbroath’s former Ladyloan School, helps provides the basics for families or individuals setting up in a new tenancy, including utensils, bedding and other items.
SPA chairman Lis Hill said: “We have had such stupendous support from the people of Angus, so it was a very sore one to make this decision.”
Despite some support in kind, the charity does not receive funding from either the local authority or the NHS. Although running costs are kept at a minimum, Mrs Hill said the money was simply not there to keep Starter Packs operating.
“This decision will have a big impact on four significant groups,” added the chairman. “Most importantly, those who have benefited from a service that allows them to accept a tenancy.”
“This, in turn, ensures families can stay together.
“It’s not just the homeless we help. Sometimes there are dads who want to be able to have contact with their children when a family breaks up but don’t have a high chair, cot or bedding to be able to allow them to stay at their home.”
Among the thousands of people Starter Packs Angus has helped are drug and alcohol addicts, domestic abuse victims and ex-service personnel who have struggled to find their feet after returning to civilian life.
“We help the most needy. The packs provide the basics to get people into houses so they can set up a home,” Mrs Hill said.
“This decision will also effect the generous people of Angus who regularly hand in goods that can be recycled and shared with those who need household items in order to retain a tenancy. Also, our band of dedicated volunteers who give their time willingly in a number of different ways.
“And it was a painful decision for the board members, who have the responsibility for ensuring the organisation is being run within both charity and company law.”
She continued: “Earlier this year we launched a self-help initiative Friends of Starter Packs but although it raised some money and certainly a lot of local support with regard to donations of items for packs, it just hasn’t been enough to meet our rent or the one part-time salary, which are our only real expenditure, apart from the usual costs for heat, light etc.”
The chairman said the charity remains determined to investigate every possibility for survival, either on its own or with another group.
“Our rent is paid up until the end of July but we are not throwing in the towel completely,” she added.
“If we go it will leave a huge gap in provision for the homeless but there are other voluntary organisations facing similar core funding problems and having to close or cut their services, so maybe there is something we could do with them.
“We need a white knight, or an offer from someone who might be willing to go into partnership.
“If something is not working it is very difficult to keep it going hand to mouth but the phoenix can rise from one or two organisations getting together and we will be trying to make than happen.”