SWINDON Carers Centre has taken the decision to transfer its relief care service to Bluebird Care due to funding cuts.

The charity’s relief care team provide a domiciliary care service to about 40 clients, as well as a sitting service for a further 26 clients. However, Swindon Carers Centre has faced significant funding cuts in the last two years, and needs to focus on its core role of helping family carers. This will ensure the financial viability of the organisation, it said.

Bluebird Care will pick up the care packages for all clients and will retain all care staff employed by Swindon Carers Centre.

Diana Finch, CEO of Swindon Carers Centre, said: “It has been a very difficult decision for the trustees to transfer the relief care service to a new provider, but we are certain that for both the clients of the relief care service and for our care staff, this is the best possible solution.”

Ben Curtis, Director of Bluebird Care, said: “We are looking forward to entering into a new partnership with both the care staff and the customers. We can assure all customers and staff that we will work with Swindon Carers Centre in making the transition as smooth as possible.”

The aim is for the transfer to be completed by June 30.