My name is Stephanie Ward and I am a fundraiser at Burwell Day Centre. I have been supporting fundraising efforts to grants and trusts since November on a part-time basis.

However, the economic downturn has placed unusual strain on grants and trusts funding, and local authority contracts aren’t uplifting in a way that fully supports the additional costs of the cost of living crisis. This means that services are operating with tighter constraints than ever before.

Burwell Day Centre is a really important part of the elderly care provision in East Cambridgeshire. They provide day opportunities for those over 55, primarily supporting those over 75, as well as meals on wheels and loads of fun activities. But they are in trouble.

Other similar organisations around them are closing. They really want to bring in those left stranded, and support them within their day centre, but they don’t have transport to do so, and funding for this from the local authority is limited.

But before any of that, unless we get some funds through the door to support the existing running costs, they are in trouble.

I know many of you may not be in a position to help in a big way. Some of you might be. I implore you to think of your parents, grandparents, neighbours… Aging is a natural part of life, and sadly as we age, our family may move away, our friends will pass away. Day centres like Burwell Day Centre care for our older people, supporting them to enjoy their leisure time and make friends, tackling loneliness and isolation, and protecting their mental health and vitality.

My team are working hard to get funds from grants, trusts and our community, and we are being aggressive in our efforts to ensure the future of our organisation. We ask you to be part of our efforts. Please help us to save Burwell Day Centre, and continue the valuable work we have done for so long.