The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
MORE than 22,000 meals were delivered by Clarecare staff in homes or in one of its centres in 2014. That is just one of the more interesting statistics contained its annual report for 2014. One of the most worrying conclusions is the fact that the charity is struggling to meet increased demand, while simultaneously experiencing cuts in funding. Services are delivered by almost 500 staff members, with 370 employed as part-time home helps, 74 core staff and 33 as Community Employment Scheme (CES) participants. In excess of 11,000 meals were provided in people’s homes by home helps and more than 11,000 meals were provided in the Clarecare centres last year. Specialised social workers for older persons received 4,233 contacts in face-to-face meetings, telephone calls and written enquiries in 2014. Clarecare general manager, Fiacre Hensey, acknowledged 2014 was an extremely difficult year for the charity, with the demand for services continuing to increase, coupled with the continued decrease in statutory funding. …
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