Jewish charity to pull respite club funding for disabled children

Jewish charity Norwood is to pull its funding for respite clubs for disabled children in Redbridge from September, with services being replaced by council provision.

Jewish families this week expressed concern that the charity’s withdrawal of funding for clubs catering for disabled children aged 5-18 on Sundays and during school holidays would create added burdens for parents.

In a statement, the charity said services would cease from the Norwood Centre from 1 September, rather than earlier, and blamed the decision on “a difficult financial climate”.

It currently funds the Unity and Time4y clubs, but one service user, who preferred to remain anonymous, said: “The Jewish community needs to be aware of it [the charity’s funding withdrawal]. These clubs give parents the respite they need.”

From 1 September, the Council’s new Short Breaks Services will replace the services the Council currently commissions from Norwood.

A spokesman for the charity said: “This is reassuring news in the short term for children and families who were concerned about the immediate future of these services. Redbridge council will continue to meet its obligations under the Breaks for Carers of Disabled Children Regulations 2011.”