Support charity's funding fears

Cornerstone helps dozens of families from its Aberdeen base

An Aberdeen charity has warned it will be forced to drop support services for families unless it gets more funding.

Cornerstone - which supports people with learning difficulties, the elderly, and disabled - said more than 100 families would be affected.

The charity said its funding from Aberdeen City Council has not gone up in real terms for two years.

The council said it sets a standard rate for funding care services to help ease pressure on its tight budgets.

Cornerstone said it did not want to cut services but could face no choice unless the council improves its funding.

Available rate

It is warning other charities and care providers could be in the same boat.

Cornerstone's chief executive Nick Baxter told BBC Scotland: "All voluntary agencies are always wanting more money.

"This is the first time in my experience we have providers giving up contracts and having so many voluntary agencies making losses."

Dod Brown, whose son Michael has learning difficulties and is helped by Cornerstone three times a week, said: "Most of his social life centres around Cornerstone.

"He would not get out as much and it would be bad for his health.

"He does not handle change well," Mr Brown added.

Aberdeen City Council said there were other suppliers happy to work for the available rate.