Kendal charity branch closes due to volunteer shortage (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Kendal charity branch closes due to volunteer shortage

12:05pm Wednesday 21st September 2011 in Health By Emma Lidiard, Reporter

A SHORTAGE of volunteers has caused the closure of the Kendal branch of Arthritis Care – the last in Cumbria.

There used to be 13 branches of the charity dotted around the county and the one in Kendal has been running for 20 years.

But next year it will close after an urgent appeal for volunteers fell on deaf ears.

Arthritis Care is a national charity which supports people with the condition and encourages them to take part in activities from weekly meetings to going on holiday.

The Kendal branch has some 60 members and chairman Anne Rogerson described the closure as ‘very upsetting’.

"I needed to stand down, I have been running the group since it opened 20 years ago,” she said. "We have worked very hard – but there has been lots of changes over the years with health and safety rules which has limited what we can do.

"Since the other branches in the county have closed people have been coming to Kendal from all over."

She said the hydrotherapy pool at Sandylands, where the group meets weekly with a physiotherapist, will continue to run for at least two years.

Member Margaret Rodgers, 77, of Kendal, said she was 'devastated' by the news.

"I've been coming here for 15 years. It's one of the only clubs left in the North that offers care," said Mrs Rodgers.

Cherry Wallis, 75, also of Kendal, said: “I was disapp-ointed to hear the club would be closing. It's very helpful and it does a lot to make me feel better.”

Mrs Rogerson added: “I would like to thank everyone in the area who has supported us over the years.

"I do feel guilty that we are closing but we appreciate the help the community has given over the years."

Anyone requiring advice who suffers from arthritis can call 0808 8004050.