A NATIONALLY recognised Wellington charity is appealing for the public’s support in the face of a financial crisis. 

Dementia charity Reminiscence Learning, which is based in Tonedale, has announced it is leaving a vacant staffing position empty and closing its offices every Friday to cut back on costs as it battles spiralling utility bills and the loss of grant funding. 

The charity said the need for funding had now become “acute” and have set up a fundraising committee to help make ends meet. 

In a statement the charity’s chief executive Fiona Mahoney said: “As many of you will be aware, the cost-of-living crisis has had an impact on everyone’s lives and as a charity we have not been spared.

“Our rent has increased by a third and our utility bills have tripled. Somerset Council contracts have been cancelled and in addition some grant requests have not been successful.  We know we are not alone in this.”

Reminiscence Learning insisted its services would not be affected for now, but said more money was needed to keep going “long into the future.”

Mrs Mahoney added: “We want to make it clear that our services will continue as normal and we will work to ensure that our clients and carers see no difference in our delivery.

“But moving forward we know we are going to have to work harder to raise money – and we want to hear from anyone who can help us with that.  Our work is so important to the local community and we are grateful for their ongoing support.” 

Reminiscence Learning is the town’s biggest charity, and has been recognised at a national level numerous times for its work supporting people living with dementia.  In May last year Mrs Mahoney and hr husband Ken were invited to the King’s garden party at Buckingham Palace as they celebrated two decades of running the service.  It can also boast of high profile celebrity endorsements, including patrons Angela Rippon, and Richard McCourt of ‘Dick and Dom’ fame. 

Anyone who can support the charity financially is being asked to get in touch via [email protected] or by calling 01823 668676.