The manager of a charity that provides home improvement services to elderly and disabled people has spoken of her devastation at proposals to slash its vital funding.

Manager of Accrington-based Homewise, Sue Sinclair, was 'heartbroken' after learning of the plans to cut £880,000 of Lancashire County Council funding from Home Improvement Agencies (HIAs).

Mrs Sinclair said that LCC has, in the past, promised to put adult social care at the forefront of its priorities and feels that by proposing to cut the funding the authority is contradicting everything they have been championing.

She also believes the cuts will severely impact an already stretched NHS.

She said: "In Lancashire there's more people in residential care than anywhere else. These cuts contradict everything we are trying to do to keep people safe in their homes. And I'm heartbroken.

"We've been picking up the pieces for years, after every budget cut, and we really are a lifeline to people.

"So many people are saying 'I don't know what I'm going to do or where I'm going to go for help now'. It's devastating.

"This is going to put a massive strain on the NHS."

Mrs Sinclair said that in the last year, using the £880,000 currently provided by LCC, HIAs have been able to help almost 45,000 people to remain independent in their homes.

She said: "That's an average of £19 per person.

"It's not a lot of money, but if these cuts go ahead, it's going to cost the NHS so much more than this per person, millions, as they'll have to somehow provide the social support we provide, while they should be concentrating on the clinical support."

Home Improvement Agencies support older people and people living with disabilities to adapt their homes so that they can live independently.

They provide everything from handymen to help with small jobs, to advice about benefits and grants.

Last month, the Lancashire Telegraph reported how Rossendale Borough Council leader, Alyson Barnes, had also raised concerns about the cuts, saying that if they are approved, 'the organisations that provide these vital services are likely to disappear'.

Cllr Barnes said: "The potential additional pressure on the NHS and LCC Social Care would far outweigh the £880,000 saving being proposed."

It is proposed to cease the funding for Home Improvement Agencies in December, and Lancashire County Council have now opened a public consultation on the matter.

Mrs Sinclair said: "I am fighting hard for these services and it's crucial that as many people as possible respond to the consultation."

Elaine Kenyon, 63, is just one of the people Homewise has helped.

Mrs Kenyon, whose husband has secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, and struggles to walk, said: "Homewise have been our lifeline. My husband is severely disabled and they've helped us in lots of ways from fitting ramps and handrails in our house to helping us raise the money for a new kitchen.

"They don't just provide practical help either, as they've been there for me when I've needed a shoulder to cry on. If they disappear I don't know what we'll do."

MP for Hyndburn, Graham Jones, whose partner has recently benefitted from the services provided by Homewise, has also expressed his anger at the proposed cuts, branding them 'looney policies'.

Mr Jones said that the cuts, which were set out at a council meeting in December, would have a detrimental affect on elderly and vulnerable residents across the whole county, not just those living in his consistency, and he's urging as many people as possible to respond to the consultation.

He said: "Homewise is a local charity that supports Hyndburn’s vulnerable, elderly and disabled.

"Last year alone they helped over 40,000 people.

"I am quite angry about this proposal. Assisted living saves the NHS millions, why on earth would you cut it.

"I want as many people as possible to respond to this consultation and send a clear message to LCC that this is a looney policy that has clearly had no thought or understanding put into it."

Lancashire County Council cabinet member for health and wellbeing, councillor Shaun Turner, said that while services like Homewise do a fantastic job and prevent people from having to use the NHS, the council is hard pressed and struggling financially.

Cllr Turner said: "I have met with Homewise and we have had conversations with our partners and Clinical Care Commissioning Groups and we have some difficult decisions to make.

"The council is struggling and no matter what we do, someone somewhere is going to be affected, but if we can work together and share resources like the Disability Facilities Grant, we can in some way carry on providing these services."

Residents and those concerned have until April 15 to respond to LCC's consultation.

Anyone wanting their say on the cuts should complete the online public consultation survey at www.snapsurveys.com/wh/s.asp?k=154998187431.

Or they can complete a paper copy by calling 01772 531712 and requesting an Integrated Home Improvement Service consultation questionnaire.

People can also visit Homewise’s offices at 2-4 Whalley Road, Accrington, where staff can help them fill out an online or paper questionnaire.