Castle Point Borough Council approves additional funding to protect vital CAVS services
Castle Point Borough Council has approved an additional £48,000 grant for the Castle Point Association of Voluntary Services (CAVS), protecting two highly valued services that support hundreds of vulnerable and isolated Castle Point residents each year.
The funding will ensure continued stability for the Befriending Service and the Home from Hospital Service, both of which have faced uncertainty due to reductions in national Better Care Fund (BCF) and Improved Better Care Fund (iBCF) allocations.
CAVS’ Befriending Service provides one to one support for adults experiencing loneliness and social isolation, receiving around 200 referrals each year. The service currently supports 271 residents, with an additional 64 people on the waiting list, highlighting the scale of local need. Without intervention, the service was at risk of closure at the end of March 2026 following the withdrawal of Integrated Care Board (ICB) funding.
The Home from Hospital Service places two Community Support Advisors across wards at Southend Hospital to support Castle Point residents preparing for discharge. Advisors work to ensure a safe transition home, then continue providing personalised support for up to 30 days and longer where needed. This includes help with shopping, prescription collection, equipment, and connecting residents to community groups. This year alone, the service has supported 498 Castle Point residents, with an exceptionally low 2% 30 day readmission rate, compared to the national average of 14%. Essex County Council’s decision to cease full funding later this year created further uncertainty for service users.
Cllr Russell Savage, Castle Point Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for People and Community said: “CAVS delivers frontline support that makes a real and lasting difference to residents’ lives and we cannot risk losing these vital services. This funding will provide stability while wider funding arrangements are reviewed at county and national level. The staff and volunteers at CAVS do exceptional work across Castle Point and we are disappointed by Essex County Council’s decision to cease full funding. We are proud to step in and support CAVS.”
Tracy Harris, CEO of CAVS said: “CAVS is extremely grateful of Castle Point Borough Council’s support to the charity during a time of such uncertainty. CAVS services, especially the Befriending service is deeply rooted into the community and supports many isolated Castle Point residents.”
CAVS has confirmed that, should external funding positions later improve, it will work with the Council to reinvest or redirect resources to further strengthen services, reduce waiting lists or extend provision into future years.
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