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Unpaid carers support charity, the Care Collective (TCC), has announced it will close due to “long-standing financial challenges” – making 87 members of staff redundant.

The charity, which has supported unpaid carers across Wales for more than 30 years, made the announcement on social media, explaining its reserves had been “depleted”.

Formerly known as Carers Trust South East Wales, the charity first opened its doors in 1974, and has worked alongside local councils, including Caerphilly, to offer advice and support to unpaid carers.

After exploring “all possibilities” however, TCC’s board told all 87 staff members that the charity would be closing.

Karen Robson, TCC chief executive, said: “Our priority has been to ensure the continuity of services to unpaid carers and their families, and we have been working with commissioners to this end. We’re also doing all we can to ensure unpaid carers are aware of other sources of support.

“On appointment last summer, my plan was to build on the reputation and success of the Care Collective and to continue to deliver the quality services we have provided for over 30 years.

“Sadly, this was simply not the direction I was able to take. Instead, my focus has been on working with the trustees and my senior leadership team to clarify the current and future financial position and to investigate all possible avenues in order to continue the charity’s operations.

“Regrettably this assessment has not been positive and has led to where we are today, unable to prevail in this difficult financial environment.”

Hefin David, Caerphilly’s Labour Senedd Member, said: “I met yesterday with Miss Cerys Jones who is the additional learning needs coordinator at Heolddu Comprehensive School, of which I’m a governor.

“She pointed out to me that it’s an incredibly valuable service and the school particularly are very sorry to lose it as a referral body.

“It is indeed a great pity that 14 years of continuing Conservative austerity have pushed us to this place.”

Dr David continued: “The voluntary sector will now face more pressure to provide support and they too will be feeling the difficulty in getting grant support.

“Things cannot continue as they are and, as a carer myself, I will do all I can to help those helping others.”

Chief executive Ms Robson continued: “Many other charities and businesses have met the same fate due to the harsh economic realities of the last few years. Knowing we are not alone in this position is of no comfort and I fear for the future of other third sector organisations, particularly in the health and social care sector.

“Unfortunately, unpaid carers have long been underappreciated and support for them underfunded – and I see no improvement in this situation when organisations such as ourselves are no longer able to deliver vital services to vulnerable people and their carers.

“We advise unpaid carers to contact their local authority who can advise what support they can offer, usually through their social services department.”