Age UK Lindsey, in Lincolnshire, has closed after facing “severe financial challenges”.

It says that the impact of the Covid pandemic, rising costs and increases to the charity’s national insurance contributions and due to a rise in the minimum wage “have placed huge pressure on available resources”.

The charity has been operating in the area for 35 years.

In a statement it said that its board of trustees “have made the difficult decision to cease operating” from 2 May “meaning that the charity is no longer able to offer our current services to older people across East Lindsey, West Lindsey and North Lincolnshire”.

It added: “We are deeply saddened that it has come to a closure decision and understand that this news is upsetting for everyone involved.”

The charity says it is working with its local partner Age UK Lincoln and south Lincolnshire to maintain support for older people in the area.

“We are mindful that this news will be upsetting for the older people that we support, as well as our staff, volunteers, partners and stakeholders and we have been contacting as many of those affected by this news as possible,” said the charity.

According to the charities register, Age UK Lindsey had 48 staff and was supported by nine trustees and almost 200 volunteers for the financial year ending March 2024.

Its spending has outstripped its income for four of the last five years.

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