A 40-year-old charity has announced that it will close following “a sustained period of significant financial pressure”.
Compaid said its services would end by 17 December, with the formal closure process continuing after that date.
“The charity has faced a perfect storm of rising costs, the wider economic downturn and broader global economic pressures, alongside increasing pressure on the financial viability of its services,” it said in a statement.
“The charity’s trustees have spent recent months carefully considering a range of options for Compaid’s future.
“Following this process, they’ve had to make the difficult decision to close the charity.”
Compaid was established in 1997 and supports disabled, older and vulnerable people in Kent to overcome digital, social and economic exclusion through accessible door-to-door transport and digital skills training.
10% increase in costs
The charity’s accounts for the year ending 31 March 2025 show that it recorded total income of £1.58m and expenditure of £1.68m, a 10% rise on the previous year due to increased staffing across all services.
Rising national insurance costs, competition for voluntary funding and inflation in utilities and vehicle maintenance all put pressure on Compaid’s operating model, the accounts read.
It employed 59 people on average in 2024-25 and spent £1.26m on staff costs overall.
“The charity ended the year with a net deficit of £98,184, which, although around 30% better than budgeted, remained a significant shortfall,” the accounts read.
Compaid’s chief executive Michelle Ford said: “This is an incredibly sad decision for everyone connected with Compaid.
“For 40 years, the charity has been part of people’s lives across Kent, and I know just how much it means to our clients, families, volunteers and staff.
“Our focus now is on managing the closure with care and respect.
“We have time between now and December to support the people who use our services and, wherever we can, help them prepare for what comes next.”
