A charity that supports mothers and babies is to close due to funding challenges, including the loss of council funding.

Blossom & Bloom is to close on May 30 after launching five years ago and having supported more than 700 families.

It says a key factor has been a decision by its local authority, Denbighshire County Council, not to continue allocate it funding through the Shared Prosperity Fund, which succeeded EU funding following Brexit.

In a statement Blossom & Bloom confirmed that it had taken the “extremely sad decision to close the charity in full on May 30”.

“Due to ongoing funding struggles in general within the third sector, along with the decision by Denbighshire County Council not to continue commissioning Blossom & Bloom’s services via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund into its third and final year, this has put us in an unsustainable financial position moving forward,” it added.

Among those to express their concern around the charity’s closure is Gareth Davies, Member of the Welsh Parliament for the Vale of Clwyd.

He said the withdrawal of council funding leaves “vulnerable families without the support they rely on”.

“Blossom & Bloom Charity has grown into a lifeline for mothers and babies since opening in 2020, offering essential services that strengthen our community,” he added.

“When I recently met with the team, they were full of ambition, planning new courses to empower mothers with skills and opportunities, now, that vision has been cut short.”

Meanwhile, Cllr Kay Redhead, who represents Kinmel Bay on nearby Conway County Council, said: “I’m so sad to see this. Although over the border, I know many local mums that have benefited from Blossom & Bloom Charity.

“Thank you for all you have done for so many of our local mums - particularly the young and more vulnerable.”

A spokesperson for Denbighshire County Council said: “We have been notified that we will receive transition year funding for Shared Prosperity, but, due to the significant reduction in available funding this year, we have had to reduce the amount drawn down by all projects across the programme.

“Our opportunities to grant fund Third Sector organisations are limited, and we must be fair to all organisations who operate across the County, all of whom deliver services valued by our residents.

“Despite the reduction in Shared Prosperity funding there will be Key Funds available in Denbighshire that Third Sector and Community Groups across the County can apply for, which will be published by DVSC as soon as possible.”

---