The future of a centre supporting some of the vulnerable members of the community has been thrown into doubt after funding was withdrawn.

Charity Waltham Forest Disability Resource Centre (WFDRC) in Crownfield Road, Leytonstone, has operated since 1988, but may be forced to close when financial support from the council ends next month.

Manager Peri Stanley said government changes to the way money is distributed meant fewer disabled people are entitled to personal support under tough new funding criteria set by the council.

A petition signed by hundreds of people is calling on the council to honour a reported promise of ‘peppercorn rent’ made in 2010, which would save the centre around £40,000 a year.

Waltham Forest council announced £100,000 of funding would cease as part of ongoing cuts due to reductions in central government grants.

Manager Peri Stanley said: “DRC is losing its council funding at the end of March and is now in real danger of closing.

“We are calling on everyone who cares about the centre - not just the disabled people who come here, but also family and friends who know how important the centre is for their loved one – to come to our extraordinary general meeting next Wednesday.

“We really need your help.”

The meeting will be held on Wednesday (March 18) at 90 Crownfield Road, Leytonstone, at 7pm.
For more information call 020 8534 1589 or email p.stanley@wfdrc.org.uk.