A West Sussex-based charity providing educational courses for adults has closed due to the “crippling impact of the current economic climate”.
Aspire Sussex announced last week that it was no longer able to trade after being hit hard by the combined crises of Covid-19 and the cost-of-living, and that it would enter administration.
The charity was established in 2012 and has supported over 30,000 adult learners based in communities within West Sussex. It is unclear was will happen to the 215 staff it employed as of 31 July 2021.
It said in a statement: “Restrictions imposed during Covid dramatically hit numbers of learners, with the charity depleting its financial reserves in maintaining services to its most vulnerable clients through the pandemic period.
“Its recovery has been curtailed by the subsequent cost-of-living crisis, directly impacting availability of additional financial income and those able to pay for the cost of their courses.”
Norman Boyland, the charity's chair, said: “This is a deeply sad day for the provision of adult education to the residents of West Sussex, particularly those most vulnerable in our communities who we support. On behalf of the trustees, I would simply just like to say thank you to all our learners who we have had the pleasure of teaching, to our partners, and to the many staff and tutors who have provided first class training on behalf of Aspire Sussex over the last 10 years”.
Significant drop in reserves
Accounts for the year ending 31 July 2021 show that the charity’s total income stood at £3.8m against expenditure of £4m. Its free reserves have dropped by 69% since July 2020 to £78,153.
The charity wrote in its accounts that its reserves fell “considerably short of the target level of six months’ operating costs, so this remains a critical point of focus for the forthcoming year”.
“The reduced level of reserves reflects the impact of COVID-19 over recent years as Aspire Sussex has relied upon accumulated reserves to support the charity during this difficult time,” it added.
‘Key source’ of funding
In 2012, West Sussex County Council contracted Aspire Sussex to deliver most of the adult learning programme for the residents of the county.
The programme, which was extended until next year, is funded through an annual grant from the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA).
Aspire Sussex said that the grant remained a “key source” of funding, serving “the whole of West Sussex and the rationale for the curriculum is derived from the needs of the local community, the national priorities identified by the Department for Education, devolved through the funding letter and guidance from the ESFA”.
A spokesperson for West Sussex County Council said: “We have provided significant resource, technical advice, and additional financial support to Aspire Sussex during this time and in response to Aspire’s requests. We’ll work closely and in partnership with Aspire Sussex, the administrators and the ESFA to support learners.
“As recipients of ESFA funding, West Sussex County Council review the adult learning contract on an annual basis. Plans will be made for a future sustainable adult learning programme to meet the needs of our communities in West Sussex and to help them to fulfil their potential.”
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