An open letter to David Cameron

Sir—This is a copy of an open letter to David Cameron.

"Dear David, I am a committed member of the “Big Society” and have been a volunteer Advice Worker for an advice centre in Rotherham for over 13years.

"I specialise in Disability Benefits and have had extensive (and expensive) training in this role. My advice work colleagues, especially the debt workers are also highly trained.

Can you explain to me why at the same time you propose a massive expansion of the voluntary sector, you are making massive and destructive cuts to funding? This is resulting in most projects having to drastically curtail or even close from March this year.

"These are the very services you say are much needed. Your T V interviews tell us plenty of funding is available, especially from the lottery, but our experience shows that what funding is available is very limited with many projects having to compete for what small amount is available.

"Our centre needs funding for core costs (the building insurances, utilities ,computers and legal books) as well as further funds for a manager, volunteers expenses and on-going training of volunteers as it takes six months to train an advice worker. All this costs money and all will cease without funding.

"I challenge you prove you do care and visit our centre to see for yourself how much value we are to the community and to have a rethink on the funding issues before it is too late.

Cath Sylvester, Strauss Crescent, Maltby.