Clare’s largest voluntary agency says it’s struggling to meet increased demand with almost all services operating at full capacity.
Clarecare has released its annual report which highlights a 3 per cent reduction in funding for family support services each year since 2009.
Clarecare provides a range of support services for people in the county including Parents’ Support Groups, Home Help, Adoption and Counselling services and treatment for alcohol addiction.
Its annual report shows that almost 200,000 home help hours and over 41 thousand home care package hours were delivered to residents in Clare in 2014.
11,000 meals were provided in Clarecare meal centres and specialised social workers for older people received over 4,200 contacts in face to face meetings, phone calls and written enquiries.
The report also shows that 941 adult counselling hours were provided last year while Bushypark Treatment Centre operated at 95 per cent capacity, treating 132 people.
Clarecare says it has been operating under difficult financial circumstances but despite this, challenges have been met through innovative work practises and the generosity of staff.
But the organisation insists the expectation that more can be delivered for less has threatened to undermine the long-established goodwill and trust of those in the community and voluntary sector.
