Aged trust in doubt

A trust set up to help Palmerston North's elderly people says its future is at risk, if it cannot get funding for salaries.

The Anglican Social Work Trust employs a social worker for 30 hours a week and an administrator for 20 hours a week.

Trust chairman Bruce Parsons said yesterday the trust was disappointed the Palmerston North City Council's major grants scheme had rejected its funding application.

The trust ran solely on grants and donations, and met a clearly identified need in the community. "Overheads are kept to a minimum," he said.

The trust predicts a loss of about $10,000 this year. A potential remedy is via the Ministry of Social Development's community response fund.

Mr Parsons said the trust ran friendship centres, an entertainment programme, where rest-home residents were invited, and an art group for senior citizens. It also had three vans to transport people to activities and outings.

The trust was set up in 1988, and it remained relevant with the city's ageing population, he said."Many older people want to remain in their own home as long as possible and maintain their independence."

An independent panel determines the council's major grants.

Councillor Peter Wheeler said requests for funding were "double the amount of money we had".

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