Fears for disabled workers' factory

From the Salisbury Journal, first published Wednesday 21st Sep 2005.

WORKERS at a factory for disabled people fear their jobs are in jeopardy because a funding crisis is threatening its long-term future.

Action For Blind People, which runs Shelwork Industries on the Dolphin industrial estate, Southampton Road, says it cannot keep up the level of subsidy it provides.

The factory employs more than 50 people, and some of the disabled workers have been with the organisation since it was founded at Odstock Hospital in the 1960s.

Shelwork has several contracts around Salisbury, including one with Wilton Carpet Factory to rewind wool for carpets, and carries out woodworking, furniture making and engineering projects.

AFBP has a five-year contract with Wiltshire county council to run Shelwork, receiving a yearly grant of £185,000.

That contract expired in March this year, but a one-year extension was agreed and the two bodies are now discussing future funding.

Fears the county council could pull the plug on its grant have now been allayed.

Salisbury MP Robert Key, who has visited Shelwork many times, confirmed he had received assurances that funding would continue.

"I'm relieved to hear from the county council that they have no intention to cut the grant," he told the Journal. "I've great respect for what they do [at Shelwork]. I know the value of their work in the community and their particular service, and I would be very concerned if I thought there was any threat to it."

He said there are problems to be discussed, and now is the best time to do that.

"ABFP are currently subsidising the site very heavily and say they can't continue at that level," added Mr Key.

"The charity and council are in discussion at the highest levels to try to find another way through, but it's just as well they're doing it now and not running into the buffer at the end of the contract."

A spokesperson for the charity confirmed the discussions with the council, and stressed employees are being kept informed at every stage.

In a statement they said: "We are currently working with Wiltshire county council in reviewing the council's funding for Shelwork Industries.

"Action For Blind People are currently consulting with colleagues on the longer term future of the factory."

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