Sheffield: At-risk charity petition seeks council funding

The charity supports up to 200 people annually and needs £240,000 each year to fund its work, Ms Hague said, adding that without an urgent £54,000 cash injection, it is likely to close in a few months.

She said the charity had been overlooked for several recent funding offers.

“It’s hard to find funding to support our services because everything is short-term,” she told councillors.

“We have applied for major national tender processes through the Home Office and the Suicide Prevention Fund but have simply failed because they are oversubscribed and all the other funders are extremely competitive now.

“We’re just one of many trying to tap into the same pot of funds and it’s just hard for us to keep up with what we’re doing.

“We believe we are extremely good value, saving the NHS around £50,000 a month with our comprehensive mental health service for women suffering from post-traumatic stress following domestic or sexual abuse.”

Ms Argenzio said if Vida were to close, she believed it would lead to an increased burden on other mental health and therapy services in the city.

She added: “If we are unable to provide funding directly in circumstances like this, we can still do what we can to support Vida in developing a clear business plan and continue to talk to our NHS colleagues and to advocate for statutory funding of the NHS. for the work that Vida does”.

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