Age UK Suffolk to close due to 'significant' coronavirus financial losses

A charity that supports elderly people in Suffolk is to close because of "significant financial losses due to the coronavirus crisis".

Age UK Suffolk will fold on July 24 after the board of trustees made the "difficult decision" to cease operations.

The charity, which is based in Claydon just outside Ipswich, offers support and advice to older people in the county.

In a statement, the charity said it had faced a number of financial challenges in recent years which have been compounded by the pandemic and explored "every possible option" to keep services going.

The closure will result in the loss of more than 140 jobs.

“We would like to thank all of our staff and volunteers for their hard work, dedication and commitment to our work, and to the local community for their support," Chair of Trustees Anthony Sheppard said.

"These are unprecedented times and we will be working as hard as we can to ensure that older people know where they can turn to for support”.

The charity added that older people and their families in Suffolk who need support can contact the national Age UK office on 0800 169 6565.