A charity for disabled people has today announced it will close its doors after 21-years citing "sustained financial pressure" due to funding cuts.

All services at Sutton Centre for Independent Living and Learning (SCILL), whose users rely on the charity for social care, will cease in March next year.

The centre’s trustees have, in recent months, been in talks with Sutton Council in an attempt to identify a credible financial solution for the service – but no alternative was found.

The news comes two years after the charity, based in Robin Hood lane, axed classes and staff due to financial difficulties.

RELATED: Cuts force charity SCILL to close services for disabled users

A letter to staff from the charity’s management team read: “We are now facing sustained financial pressure on both income and costs.

“Over recent months we have been engaged in discussions with the London Borough of Sutton (LBS) to try to identify a way forward but no credible financial solution has been forthcoming.

"The reduction in funding by Central Government has meant that LBS has been forced to reduce its spend on contracts with the voluntary sector; contracts ending have not been renewed.

"It has also meant that our individual clients are facing increasing pressure on their budgets.

“Over the next six months SCILL will be working with staff, volunteers, clients and stakeholders to undertake a smooth transition of services for our clients and staff.

“Our commitment to delivering a quality service remains undiminished.”

Cllr Simon Wales, Sutton Council's lead member for finance, assets and the voluntary sector, said the authority will now explore options for the future of this kind of service in the borough.

He said: “Ultimately we respect the decision of the trustees and the council will now support the orderly closure of the centre next year.

"Our focus has always been how we support all SCILL's clients, particularly the most vulnerable.

“Our immediate attention now turns to exploring all options available to secure the future of services on which residents depend.

"We understand this decision may be upsetting for residents and staff, so I want to reassure everyone that we are doing all we can, as quickly as possible, to ensure these essential services provided by SCILL remain available to the community in the borough.”

A spokeswoman for SCILL thanked staff for their “exceptional” care for its users.

She said: "The support and help that SCILL has given people during the last 21 years has been exceptional.

"Social care has changed enormously in that time and thankfully disabled people now have a much greater voice than they did 20 years ago - although there is still room for improvement."

Will someone you know be affected by the closure of SCILL? If so, contact the newsdesk on 0208 722 6350 or email newsdesk@suttonguardian.co.uk.