A CHARITY which supports adults with learning difficulties faces a fight to stay afloat.

The Open Door Centre, based at St Barnabas Church Hall on Ferndale Road, has been hit by the loss of £50,000 in local authority funding.

Staff and volunteers have set up a crowdfunding page entitled 'Keep Open Door, Open!' with the aim of generating £10,000. So far, almost a fifth (£1,700) of that figure has been raised.

Operation team member Courtenay Merchant said: “We are a charity with incredibly dedicated professional staff and volunteers all doing a fantastic job of supporting our members.

“Having lost £50,000 of long-term funding we need to fill that hole. We lost the funding in June.

“It was an amount we’d received from the local authorities for a few years toward personal development plans, which was put up for tender again. Our bid was not successful.

“We have been applying for more grants since then and we are slowly replacing it. The crowdfunding is a major part of this effort.

“Our members, along with other volunteers, are keen fundraisers and we have the support of many local community groups and businesses. But we can’t do it alone – so we need help.”

A Swindon Borough Council spokesman confirmed the loss of the £50,000 funding and said : "Their service is now being operated by Swindon Advocacy Movement."

The charity opened 35 years ago and has now more than 100 members. It supports adults with learning disabilities by providing them with a safe and non-judgmental environment.

The group, which includes a part-time staff of eight, organises monthly members meetings to discuss what needs to be done and generates new ideas.

Courtenay added: “We believe strongly in a philosophy of empowerment, encouraging our member’s involvement in the service we provide.

“We have members on the management committee who take part in aspects of the running of the centre including staff interviews.

“The model we operate is very specific in that it encompasses a multitude of issues rather than just one.”

The Open Door Centre received a Queens Award for voluntary service.

It was recognised with invitations to the Pride of Britain and Pride of Sport Awards in 2018.

“We need to ensure that we are here for the long run and this money raised will go a long way to making that happen, we hope that Swindon will get behind us in supporting the most vulnerable in the town,” said Courtenay.

To support the group visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/the-open-door#start