Lifeline support group for arthritis sufferers could fold

Members of the Versus Arthritis social group - which has been running for over 30 years - are warning that its future is under serious threat.

Inverclyde Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) say they are reviewing their financial support for the group.

The partnership currently provides help so that elderly and disabled members can get of their houses to regular social nights held in Greenock's Fitzgerald Centre.

But bosses have told the group they may no longer be able to pick up the bill.

Versus Arthritis chairwoman Johanna Stewart said: "There are around 16 of us who rely on this every month.

"There are quite a few wheelchair users.

"For many of our older members it is the only night out they get.

"Without the bus no one would be able to come.

"If we can't afford to pay for the bus to get everyone there then will need to fold.

"There is no suitable public transport."

As part of a long standing arrangement when the group was set up up 33 years ago, the council has paid running costs to allow Port Glasgow Voluntary Transport buses to pick up and drop off members.

Johanna, 44, who has spina bifida and suffers from arthritis, said: "We always benefited from a transport waiver paid by the council.

"But we were contacted recently by the HSCP and told we would need to find alternative funding.

"I am busy trying to find funding from somewhere else.

"We run social nights with music and bingo and also organise outings.

"It is terrible.

"Soon there will be nothing left."

Last year the group was awarded cash from the council's Grants for Voluntary Organisations fund to allow them to fund the cost of using the hall.

Johanna added: "Even if we get a grant this year, we have no idea whether that will continue next year.

"I don't know what people would do without the group.

"For many of them it is the only thing they have left to go to."

As well as running the Versus Arthritis Group, Johanna runs Inverclyde Buddies, another social group for people with disabilities and she also volunteers with the Shopmobility scheme.

She added: "I really hope we can find funding from somewhere."

Fellow Versus Arthritis Care member Brenda Devlin, added: "It is hard to get anywhere when you are disabled and in a wheelchair.

"If the club was to close some people wouldn't have anything."

Inverclyde Council says it has a duty to look at how it spends the money it has available.

A spokesman said: “The council gives money to a lot of outside organisations to provide services.

"We regularly review these services to make sure that they are still needed, that they are appropriate for the people who use them and that they are good value for money.

“We are currently reviewing the service provided by Versus Arthritis Care.

"No final decision has been made about its funding, which will continue while the review is underway.

"This review isn’t part of the current budget setting process, it’s just a matter of good governance.”