Update on community clubs from Michael Crutchley, Chief Executive of Brendoncare

It is with great sadness that I and Brendoncare’s Board of Trustees have recently announced a reduction in the number of community clubs we are able to provide in Dorset and Hampshire.

Like many other organisations working in social care and charity sectors, we have had to review the services we provide to ensure our long-term financial sustainability.

Whilst still recovering from Covid-19, we are now facing additional pressures after the announcements made in last year’s Autumn Budget.

Consequently, in order to ensure Brendoncare thrives into the future, we have had to make difficult decisions, which have not been taken lightly. This is likely to result in the closure of some of our clubs.

We are working hard to explore ways that affected clubs can continue by contacting local organisations who may be able to run them in the future. For now, our clubs will continue as normal, and we will keep members and volunteers updated.

These changes will not impact any of our other services, namely our care homes, extra care (mews) housing or any community support services. We will continue to provide more than 30 in person clubs as well as all our online services – telephone support, online clubs and digital coaching.