John’s Club, a vital Isle of Wight charity that has supported people with disabilities for nearly 30 years is now at risk of closure after running out of funds.
The charity, based from its community centre in Oakfield, Ryde, delivers social, educational and recreational opportunities for people with learning or physical disabilities and those experiencing mental health difficulties. The charity also offers respite and support for families, carers and guardians.
John’s Club has been a cornerstone of support for the Isle of Wight’s disabled community since 1996. But the charity is now facing significant financial hardship.
Trustee Kyle Hollinsworth has confirmed that the organisation has run out of funds and is in urgent need of support to avoid closure.
Over the past 4 years, John’s Club received more than £650,000 in income, largely from club activities, donations and shop sales, but has recorded back-to-back deficits since 2022.
While the charity previously held over £80,000 in reserves, repeated losses and a lack of disclosed major funding have left it with just £25,338 by April 2023. That year’s income of £170,732 was outpaced by spending of £188,288, with staff wages making up the largest cost.
More recent figures are currently unavailable as the charity has yet to file its accounts for the financial year ending April 2024. According to the Charity Commission, that return is already more than 60 days overdue. This follows repeated issues with timely reporting in previous years.
It has recently been revealed that chairman and founder John Phillips MBE, now aged 70 and undergoing cancer treatment, is preparing to step back from the organisation after decades of dedicated service.
While John’s illness marks a turning point in leadership, those involved have made clear that the financial crisis stems from long-standing funding difficulties, not just recent developments.
Supporters of the charity continue to express hope that increased public awareness could help secure its future.
If it is doing some good for the island why
don’t IW Council bail them out.
Charge islandwide parking permits and help these
charities out.
Looks like parking permits could be the solution to all of the islands problems.
The extra revenue raised could help many
island charities, every little helps.
It would also get unnesseccary vehicles off
our roads, many vehicles are left for months along
roads making it difficult for other motorists to
park their vehicles after an hard days graft.