'Incredibly vital' Wirral Play Council backed by Rafa Benitez to close this summer

Wirral Play Council’s Special Needs service will close this summer after it failed to find new funding, with 11 members of staff to be made redundant.

It has been described by a local councillor as “incredibly vital”, but needs extra funding to the tune of around £75,000 a year just to stay running.

Formed over 40 years ago, bosses said the charity used to get funding “from all over” including Spaniard Benitez’s charity foundation, which gave a “very generous donation” back in 2013.

Based in Birkenhead, the service helps families by providing out of school activities for children aged five to 18 in Wirral with a range of complex needs, giving respite to parents all year round.

Now with the service to close imminently, it’s not yet known where children and families will go for that care.

Committee member Maureen Bonny, who started Wirral Play Council herself in the 1970s, said: “It’s sad news. It’s breaking my heart – I am going to leave the Wirral on a bad note. We’ve put a lot of hard work into it and closing will affect so many people’s lives.

“A lot of these children cannot go to other places or charities as there’s not many other places that can help them. They need a lot of care and the staff need to know exactly how to help.”

According to Ms Bonny, the service’s funding, which came from various bodies including Wirral council, has dried up.

“We used to get funding from all over. It was more achievable back then to get it.

“We weren’t given a reason why there isn’t any for us this time,” she added.

The service’s building is specially adapted to meet the needs of its users, and has an art room, quiet room, main hall and both indoor and outdoor sensory play spaces “which are costly to maintain and repair but provide a lot of support to the children”.

Changes to community transport have also left the charity unable to afford its own arrangements.

The Wirral Play Council, which provides a wide range of services for many more children and their families, will not be affected if the Special Needs service closes down, which it’s set to do “at some point this summer” once the current funding runs out.

At present, it has 80 children on its books and has helped thousands of families through the years. Ms Bonny added: “It will be such a shame after all these years – it’s got so many good facilities.”

In August 2013, the ex-Reds boss’ Benitez Foundation, which was set up to help smaller charities on Merseyside, presented the service with a cheque of £3,000.

Ms Bonny said that was a “big help” which funded a complete refurbishment of the sensory room, adding: “We got a big boost from that. It would be nice if they could come back and help us again.”

Chrissie Brie with son Alex. Picture: Paul Heaps

Among those saddened by the closure is Chrissie Brie, who son Alex has been attending the Wirral Play Council for over 6.

Chrissie told the Globe: "It is his absolute favourite place to go. He gets so excited just pulling up in the car.

"This is the only evening club where these children can go and in some cases its the only respite some parents get.

"It also runs holiday clubs which are vital for these children simply because there's not much else on offer.

"The kids has an absolute amazing time there, the staff are excellent and well trusted. I dont know what we would do if it shut."

Cllr Pat Cleary, whose ward is Birkenhead and Tranmere, said it would be a “massive blow” if the charity was to fold.

He added: “They have been going for over 40 years, providing play services for disabled kids and respite for the parents.

“They are encouraging people to donate what they can.

“It’s desperately important the service remains. It’s providing incredibly vital services to a lot of children and their parents.”

To donate to the cause, visit: www.gofundme.com/wirral-play-council-special-needs

Both Wirral Council and representatives of Benitez were contacted for comment.