A local infrastructure organisation which has supported thousands of small charities and social enterprises across Kent for nine years has announced that it will close at the end of September.
In a statement, the directors of Stronger Kent Communities (SKC) said that while it had enjoyed a fruitful partnership with other organisations it would be winding down its services over the summer.
“We are grateful to the many organisations who have helped to fund our work, including Kent County Council, Kent Community Foundation and the National Lottery. Sadly, we have not been able to secure funding for our future operations,” they said.
Director Stephen Elsden said on social media: “It breaks my heart to release this statement, but we want to give small charities in Kent some notice before the door closes for good.
“We aren't the first infrastructure organisation to run out of funding, and I fear we won't be last. Civil society covenants are all well and good, but if they are not backed up with hard cash dispersed to local areas, their value is negligible.”
SKC’s help desk will close to new enquiries on 31 July and the organisation will be collating resources and learning to share with the sector before the end of September.
Last year, Greater Manchester Centre for Voluntary Organisation, one of the largest local infrastructure organisations in the country, closed its doors, with some services taken over by Sheffield-based Key Fund.
In January, the government announced the £11.6m Local Covenant Partnerships Fund, designed to strengthen partnerships between charities and local authorities in 15 deprived areas in England.
