A WORCESTER-based charity that supports children with special educational needs had been dealt a major blow through a cut to its funding.

New Hope, based in Ronkswood in Worcester, was previously funded by Worcestershire County Council but has received the news of a cutback in its funding.

This is due to a combination of cost increases and the council putting greater emphasis on funding towards different services across the county.

"Worcestershire County Council have commissioned out which has left us in the hands of a company called Sutton Croft who are dealing with us," said New Hope founder Jean Wilson.

She said the changes meant there would be more choice for parents living across the county, adding: "They have obviously asked people what they want and decided that funding will go to other areas of the county.

"So it will open up opportunities in those other areas in the county."

Mrs Wilson, who set up the charity 14 years ago, said the impact of its cut meant it could no longer support as many children as it did previously.

"We can't support 10 children a day any more," she said.

"We can take 5-6 children some days, but it means parents have to travel to other areas of the county to get those places."

New Hope offers families short breaks from their day-to-day responsibilities, where children are supported in leisure activities.

Mrs Wilson stressed the importance of what the charity stood for as, not only did it support disadvantaged children, but offered respite for parents who work full-time.

"The charity is hugely important. Parents are able to cope better, they can give more time to their other children.

"We can't take any further steps with the situation, the landscape has now changed.

"You could argue that prices have gone through the roof, but the council could then argue that they haven't got the money.

"There's not much we can do."

Mel Barnett, Worcestershire Children First’s Director for All Age Disability said: “This year we have joined up with our Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme to commission the Short Breaks Groups and Activities in Worcestershire.

"The budget for this has remained the same and we have commissioned a diverse range of groups to provide as many places as possible across the whole county, and to support the diverse needs of children and young people.

"We are aware that some providers’ costs have increased significantly this year which has resulted in them having to review the number of places they can offer.

"We are committed to continuing to develop our groups and activities offer to children and young people with SEND and we will be seeking feedback from families who have accessed these services to help us plan for what we deliver during the summer holidays.”