The head of a leading Jewish charity for people with learning disabilities has said that funding pressures were the worst they had been in his two decades of working in the field.

Kisharon Langdon’s chief executive Richard Franklin said that “persistent underfunding” in social care services, compounded by global events, meant it was becoming increasingly difficult for the charity to fill its annual funding gap of £4 million.

Speaking soon after Chancellor Jeremy Hunt had announced his spring budget, Franklin told the JC: “This is the hardest I have known it in my 20 years in social care. The latest budget tax cuts further cement the chronic lack of social care funding, making Kisharon Langdon’s mission harder and yet still more vital.

“We offer incredible support for our learning disability and autism community, but we can’t do it alone.”

Kisharon Langdon client Mia is supported by the charity in her home (Photo: Kisharon Langdon)

On Sunday, the charity will be launching its 36-hour fundraising campaign, hoping to raise £2 million. Themed “on top of the world”, the fundraiser was “not just a standard ask for a broad range of quality services”, said Franklin. “It’s about going above and beyond for heroic staff battling all the odds to offer the highest of standards we demand for those who need it most.”

The theme of the fundraiser was also inspired by the charity’s mission, which was to allow “people with learning disabilities and autistic people to lead fulfilled and Jewish lives”, said Franklin. “Our ambition is to offer outstanding life opportunities, enabling people the charity supports to live as independently as possible, reach their potential and contribute as equals in our community and beyond.”

Shammai is supported by Kisharon Langdon at his job at The Grove (Photo: Kisharon Langdon)

He added that Jewish values were at the centre of all their services. “The charity is deeply committed to meeting each person’s unique religious and cultural needs in enabling individuals to realise their ambitions.”

Funds raised will contribute to the overall budget required to sustain and develop crucial services for individuals supported by Kisharon Langdon.

Donations can be made at charityextra.com/kisharonlangdon to help raise £2m