hile local authorities continue to look at ways of making spending cuts, the voluntary sector fears a loss of services they see as essential to public health and wellbeing.

The economic climate, coupled with fears of a double-dip recession, has left more people dealing with debt.

Voluntary services working within this field are already struggling to cope with increasing demand, yet many fear their service could be cut as part of the savings councils are faced with having to make.

Tony Dylak, co-chairman of Bradford’s Regeneration and Prosperity Forum, and chief executive of Royds Community Association debt and welfare benefits advice service, says it is crucial that Bradford Council continues to fund this type of work.

While welcoming Prime Minister David Cameron’s idea to create a Big Society, Tony says the voluntary sector needs funding to provide this.

“The Council relies on the voluntary sector to provide a whole range of social care and support it simply cannot provide itself, so really the key message is the Big Society is a great idea, but we need to make sure the resources are there to provide it,” says Tony.

He claims some of the clients seeking help are close to suicide – “many are stressed out because they don’t know where the next penny is coming from” – and says the services provided by organisations like Royds provide a lifeline.

Financial difficulties can affect health and relationships. Royds provides help and support to deal with these issues and help people get back into employment.

“These are the things that save people’s lives and they are as important as the services GPs provide,” says Tony.

He says voluntary services are often wrongly seen as “peripheral”.

“They’re not,” he says. “They need funding support. Volunteers need support. We have a lot of volunteers, but we have staff to help them, encourage them and give them training. There is a huge amount our sector can provide.”

David Wilford, chief executive of the Holme Christian Community and co-chairman of Bradford’s Regeneration and Prosperity Forum, says there is a ‘spike’ in the advice services.

Between October and December last year, the Holme Christian Community dealt with £1m worth of debt compared to the £1.4m they usually deal with in a year.

Repossessions and evictions are also increasing – in the first part of the year the organisation handled eight repossessions and evictions.

“We are seeing the effects of the downturn. We are seeing redundancies and hardships even before April when the cuts even come in,” says David.

He says the organisation is liaising with senior officials at Bradford Council over the issue and fears the knock-on effects may create a “massive spike in homelessness – and all the things that go with that”.

He says the voluntary sector “stands in the gap for vulnerable people”.

Adds David: “The sector is vital to the recovery of Bradford. Rather than frontline services being cut they need to invest in the voluntary sector and make sure this service isn’t cut.

“The cuts Bradford faces will throw up challenges. The sector is lean, mean and able, if worked with, to maintain frontline services for vulnerable people across the whole of Bradford.”

Connie and Tony Bryan were planning to buy the home they have lived in at Holme Wood since 1979. Instead they found themselves struggling to keep a roof over their heads after 68-year-old Tony was forced to retire from work due to ill health. Connie, 67, hasn’t worked since 1996 due to health problems.

“I was absolutely at my wits end,” says Connie.

With help and support they received through the Holme Christian Community Advice centre, which delivers drop-in sessions in doctors’ surgeries and community centres, the couple are able to stay in their home and are now managing their money. "I am a lot more content. I used to be sat here wondering where the money to pay the next bill was coming from," says Connie.

She says it is essential that the service is retained. "They have been great," she says.