A local Age UK charity has opened a consultation on potentially making more than half of its workforce redundant after proposing the closure of its home care service.
Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin announced last week that it was expecting to close its Help at Home service by the end of August due to “significant financial challenges” and a “cessation of funding” from Shropshire council.
The charity subsequently launched the consultation, which places 119 roles at risk. Of these, 109 are support workers and 10 are operational roles based at the charity’s Shrewsbury office.
In its statement, the charity said it was “committed to supporting everyone affected” and would still be “delivering other services and securing the charity’s long-term future”.
According to its most recently filed accounts for the financial year ending 31 December 2025, Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin employed an average of 181 staff members.
The charity recorded an annual income of £2.9m in the accounts, against an annual expenditure of £2.9m. It also noted that its Help at Home funding from Shropshire council, which it had received for over 20 years, came to an end on 31 March 2026.
Help at Home supports around 1,000 older people across Shropshire, offering practical assistance to help older people remain independent in their homes, the charity said.
Clare Davis, chief executive of Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin, told Civil Society: “This has been an incredibly difficult decision. Over the past six months, we have explored every option to keep our Help at Home service running, but it is no longer financially viable to continue.
“I would like to recognise the dedication, professionalism and compassion shown every day by our Help at Home team. This decision is in no way a reflection of the quality of their work or their commitment to the older people they care for.
“All affected employees will be offered support throughout the consultation process, including guidance on benefits, access to counselling and assistance with finding alternative employment.”
