The Journalists’ Charity has issued a rallying call for new supporters after announcing it will close its residential care home.
The charity has revealed its nursing home at Pickering House, in Dorking, Surrey, will close later this year – citing a “decrease in demand” for its facilities.
Sheltered housing will continue to be provided by the organisation at facilities in Dorking, and respite care support across the UK will also continue.
The charity is now encouraging journalists to sign up to its ‘Be Part of It Now’ campaign, which aims to highlight the charity’s work in providing financial assistance to those facing hardship as well as showcasing its networking opportunities and events.
The Journalists’ Charity facility in Dorking
The charity is also in discussions with media organisations to develop initiatives to attract involvement of journalists and increase awareness.
Jill Palmer, chairman of the charity’s trustees, said: “In recent years, it has become very clear that the support demanded from those we help has changed in nature and continues to do so. At one time we may have been perceived as a charity helping mainly older people.
“However, the reality is that we are now helping an increasing number of younger people facing difficulties with issues such as mental health and invalidity.”
She added: “It has been a very difficult decision to close Pickering House but a combination of falling demand and increasing costs meant the home had become an unsustainable drain on the charity’s finances.
“Our primary duty is ensure that we have the financial capability to support as wide a range of eligible people in the short, medium and long term. We will of course help ensure that current residents at Pickering House are relocated to comparable and suitable accommodation.”
Supporters can sign up to the ‘Be Part of it Now’ campaign for £3 a month.
“Jill said: “The future of the charity depends on the support of rank and file journalists. That is why we are appealing for them to join us for less than the cost of a coffee.
“We need as many people as possible to get involved so we can plan for the future by building on the success of the past 150 years.”
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Do they really mean that not enough younger journalists are supporting the charity. I fear that is the case without wanting it to be so. So, after 50 years of supporting the charity where do I go fro here. Not a word of thanks for those who have done so.
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Sorry – I should have added : What happens to those already in the home including former colleagues.
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The closure of Pickering House is a travesty. The relatives and residents have been active for years seeking to ensure full occupancy and support economies. However there was no financial information shared, and all offers to have experts review possible alternatives which would have kept the home open were ignored. The charity did not actively seek residents and now it is clear that the trustees decided to shut the home long ago and allowed the finances to deteriorate to crisis point. No hint of closure was given until phone calls last Wednesday. Even at this late stage efforts are being made to save Pickering and legal challenges have not be ruled out. Some residents have been there for 10 years and the forced move will shorten their lives and also those who have recently settled there. Poor management of the charity and an refusal to communicate has brought about this crisis. The staff at the home are devastated after running it to the very highest of standards — and with genuine love for the journalists and their families. A sad, sad end of an era for the charity.
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sad news. I joined in 1980s on advice of a workmate.
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