Without your help, Shropshire PCAS could be forced to close by Christmas.
This is the devastating reality we are facing, and it’s something we never thought we’d have to consider. But the truth is, the demand for our advocacy services has never been higher and, sadly, the funding simply isn’t there to match it.
We’ve been supporting disabled and vulnerable people for more than three decades, and we’re not ready to say goodbye yet. We need to raise £240,000 urgently to ensure PCAS Shropshire can keep going.
What do we do, and why does it matter?
“PCAS” stands for “Person Centred Advocacy and Support”. Essentially, we offer independent, face-to-face support to adults who often have no one else to turn to.
Many of our clients live alone, and most are disabled, isolated or dealing with mental health issues. Not all of them have a diagnosis, which means they often fall through the gaps in the system and struggle to access help anywhere else.
Nearly all of them are facing overwhelming challenges.
From housing issues and benefit problems to safeguarding risks, medical complications, and social care battles, these people rely on us to be their advocates.
On average, each person we support is dealing with over 17 separate issues at any one time. We are a lifeline for the most vulnerable people in our communities by being there for them when nobody else is, and that responsibility isn’t one we take lightly.
If you’re fortunate enough to have loved ones around you – or perhaps you are the loved one supporting a vulnerable family member – imagine if that support network disappeared. How much more challenging would life get for you? How isolating would it feel?
That’s where we step in.
If we aren’t there for them, who will be?
Find out why our client Russ thinks our services are so important.
Our team
Our advocates are experienced, compassionate people who are there for our clients however they may need us. Advocates go out to clients’ homes, sit beside them at appointments, help them make calls, explain letters, or get on top of paperwork. Life can be overwhelming, and our people are there to support clients to navigate anything that may come their way.
For some clients, their advocate is the only person they will see in a week. Please don’t let them lose that vital support network.
If anything, we should be growing – over the past two years we’ve been forced to temporarily close our waiting list due to overwhelming demand and limited funds. That is how much people need our service.
How you can help
Right now, we’re limited to supporting just 30 clients at a time, but the need is far greater. To fund just one more full-time advocate, we’d need to raise £25,000. This person could help to reduce our waiting list and support more people who need us.
The problem is much bigger than that, though. We are making a final appeal to raise £240,000 by the end of 2025 to keep our services running. Like any other organisation, we’re not immune to overheads or increasing costs, but we aren’t in a position to simply adapt to these changes.
If we don’t raise this money by December, we will have no choice but to shut down. Those vulnerable people in our communities will be left completely alone, with no support at all.
But with your help, we are optimistic Shropshire PCAS can keep going. Whether you’re an individual, a business, or a community group – there is something you can do:
- Donate. Every penny helps!
- Fundraise by holding workplace events, completing challenges, or taking collections.
- Become a corporate partner or sponsor.
- Choose us as your Charity of the Year.
- Leave a legacy gift in your will.
- Keep the conversation going. Share this blog post, speak to your loved ones about our situation, and get people talking about how PCAS can be supported.
Please help us stay open. Please help us be there.
If you’d like to get in touch to support us, email simon@shropshirepcas.co.uk – we would love to hear from you.