News of the Swindon Carers Centre’s impending closure has shocked and saddened politicians and community groups around the town.

The charity blamed difficulties in renewing an annual carer services contract which provides its main source of funding for making it impossible to continue past the end of the year.

In response, Swindon Borough Council and the Bath & North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board issued a joint statement.

It said: “It’s standard practice to run a competitive procurement process to commission services and we started this for our carer services contract earlier this year.

“We terminated that process on August 6 following a review and notified Swindon Carers Centre and other providers that we wanted to work with them to strengthen and reissue the tender in response to provider feedback.

“In the interim, we offered a short-term contract to the Carers Centre with the same annual value as their existing one, with reduced responsibilities.

"We were disappointed to be notified that the Carers Centre has decided not to accept this offer and didn’t enter into a conversation to propose an alternative.

“Our priority is ensuring continuity of support for carers across Swindon who play such a vital and valued role. We will work closely with the Carers Centre until December to ensure this.”

The town’s MPs have pledged to work with the carers centre and local authority to find a way forward.

South Swindon MP Heidi Alexander said: “I know how vital the services provided by Swindon Carers Centre are to people across the town.

“I have spoken to the leader of the council and really hope a sensible way through this can be found urgently. I will do all I can to help find a solution.”

North Swindon MP Will Stone added: “I am saddened that an agreement could not be reached and have been in contact with senior leaders at the council as well as the CEO of the Swindon Carers Centre to see what I can do to support further negotiations or, if closure goes ahead, ensure continuity of care for the residents of Swindon.

“It is in moments like these that we all must keep our focus on those that rely on the care provided by the SCC and ensure we work towards an outcome that is best for them.

“That is what I will continue to do throughout this process.”

Community groups have been similarly alarmed by the closure announcement and hope to A Voluntary Action Swindon spokesperson said: "So very sad to read this announcement.

“We have a meeting scheduled with SBC later in August to discuss several issues raised by Swindon VCSE around procurement quality.

“We tried to broker a wider meeting with VCSE leaders earlier but SBC wasn’t prepared to meet as it didn’t feel able to manage conflicts of interest around live procurement. What a devastating consequence.

“A huge thank you to SCC for 27 years of quality service supporting all the amazing unpaid carers in Swindon. You will be so very missed.”

“Commissioning has to improve.”

A Mums on A Mission Swindon spokesperson: “All of us at MOAM are shocked and very sad.

“We've had many interactions and collaborations with Swindon Carers Centre over the years on a personal level and as a campaign group.

“We've always found every member of staff to be so welcoming, knowledgeable, and compassionate.

“The Walk a Mile event has become a real highlight in our calendar and it was an honour to speak at SCC's Carers Rights Day event in November. Their experience and support will be truly missed in Swindon.”

How will the closure of Swindon Carers Centre affect you? If you would like to talk to us about it, please email daniel.angelini@newsquest.co.uk