Grapevine has received confirmation from Coventry City Council that the proposed 45 per cent budget cut to our Help and Connect service for people with learning disabilities in the city will now not go ahead.
News of the budget cut proposal came at the end of 2024 as the council began its public consultation process with local people.
Council cuts will now not go ahead.
If the cut had gone ahead, around £750,000 would have been taken out of the current £1.5m funding made available for the Voluntary Sector Preventative Support Grant – affecting 12 voluntary sector organisations in Coventry, including us.
Budget proposal 25 was met with strong opposition from Grapevine and the people and families we support. Our Help and Connect service helps adults with learning disabilities and autistic people who are living independently but on the verge of coping.
Our CEO Clare Wightman said
“We are thrilled with the news that the proposed cut will not go ahead.
“We want to thank Coventry City Council for listening to our concerns, those of other professionals and crucially, people and their families who would have been most affected by this cut.
Grapevine CEO Clare Wightman.
“We acknowledge the council is in a difficult position, needing to make savings in order to deliver a balanced budget for the coming year.
“But they have fully taken on board what we’ve said about the potential impact of this cut and made the right decision for everyone.
“We’re extremely pleased to have saved this grant for voluntary sector services that, in our case, helps prevent people from being exploited, scammed, abused, experiencing avoidable ill health and much more.
“We’re looking forward to supporting people in the same way we always were now and in the future – getting them out of crisis, helping them become less isolated and ultimately have a better life.
“Thank you to everyone who has helped our campaign reach far and wide and have an impact on the council’s final decision.
“We don’t want people and their families to have to worry there is no support out there for them and we hope this level of grant from the council will continue – not just for this year but for future years too.”
Almost 200 people joined our demonstration outside Coventry Council House on 23 January.
We would like to thank everyone for their support in helping us to raise awareness of the impact this cut would have had on one of the most vulnerable groups in our city. It really has made a difference!
