Public service cuts in Herefordshire and Worcestershire

Facing the cuts by BBC Hereford & Worcester's Bethan Bell The real effects of council cuts

A BBC Hereford & Worcester investigation into county council cuts in spending has discovered Herefordshire Council has to slash its budget by a quarter.

Worcestershire County Council has to save £45 million over the next three to five years.

The council will shed 10% of its workforce; more than 500 full time jobs.

Herefordshire hasn't specified its job cuts, but there could be hundreds.

Although there is a recovery for the private sector, council spending will be hit hard in the oncoming years.

Areas likely to feel the financial squeeze in the two counties are the so-called "soft targets" of arts, leisure and libraries - while Herefordshire is scaling back on grants to voluntary organisations, and Worcestershire is looking to save money in Adult Social Care.

Both councils have said they're worried about the Care at Home bill, which Labour - if they win the next election - intend to implement in October.

The government hasn't offered any further money, and local authorities will be expected to fund home care for people who need it.

They intend to save money by sharing services with other organisations, such as District Councils, the health sector and shared back office areas.

Worcestershire has said all areas will be subject to review - and the high-spend services are the most likely to feel the squeeze.

The future for my children

Sue Picton is the mother of two severely disabled adult children. Jo and Matthew live in residential care in Evesham. Sue's concerned about the future for them.

As she and her husband grow older she's worried Jo and Matthew will have to face a depleted social care system without their parents to protect them.

Altzheimer's, my mother and me

Michelle Poole's mother has Altzheimer's disease.

Although she still lives in her own flat, she's becoming increasingly confused and relies heavily on Adult Social Care.

Michelle is worried she may develop the disease and says she's "chilled to the marrow" about having to depend on social services in an uncertain future.

Altzeimer's Association

The club that banishes the blues

The ladies who go to Geraldine Court's weekly day club are all over 70.

For some of them it's the only contact they have with other people.

For others it's the only time they have a good meal.

For all of them it's a chance to gossip, get their nails done, and have fun.

Prices have recently increased from £10 a day to £15.

Mary, Molly, Celia, Margerie, Vera, Pat and Angela explain why the club banishes the blues brought on by loneliness.

Friends of the Elderly

Arts and mental illness

The arts are often regarded as a "soft target" for cuts - in hard times they can be seen as a luxury, but it's not all about galleries and theatre-going.

Arts in Minds (AIMS) is an organisation which helps to integrate people with mental illness back into the community.

It's a safe and supportive environment where patients can reintroduce themselves to the public and help themselves get better.

Arts after school

After-school drama clubs do more than encourage children to act.

They also help develop confidence, teamwork and creativity.

Cuts to "the arts" seems to be an easy decision when comparing it to health, policing and education.

The boss of "Worcester Live!" Chris Jaeger says all of the arts are aimed at the human soul, and are necessary in a civilised society.

Swan Youth Theatre