A CHARITY which has had its funding cut by half has made five members of staff redundant.

Herefordshire Council cut its funding to Herefordshire Carers Support (HCS) from £275,000 to £137,000, which led to the staff cuts.

Carers who receive help from the charity have spoken in a video about how the cuts could affect them.

Lesley Cornfield, a parent carer, said she has been receiving help since her son was seven or eight-years-old and he is now 15.

She said: "It helps me to socialise because I find it difficult going out."

She said she would be lonely and isolated without the group, and the charity helps her fill in forms and attend meetings.

Ms Cornfield said: "But also the parent carer leader actually helps with offloading, as they aren't actually involved as a carer but they look from the outside coming in, so it doesn't affect them emotionally so much if you talk to them about things."

Joanna Preece cares for her son who is autistic and has learning disabilities.

She said she was very worried about what could happen to herself and her family without the support from the HCS.

She said: "I really do not want to think about what my life will become without the care and support that Kathy gives."

The charity receives funding from other sources but the council money is the largest contribution by far.

Of the remaining 11 staff, others have taken cuts to their hours.

Rachel Wilkins, team manager, said the council had informed them that they will be responding to the charity by April 25 following a council meeting.

Director, Jacqui Bremner, was one of the staff who was made redundant.

Ms Wilkins said: "Looking at the services we provide- actually what we will provide won't drastically change. We will still have support groups, carers will still meet."

But she said they have lost the valuable knowledge of staff.

The group provides information, advice, self-help groups and one-to-one support to 5,000 carers on their register.