Facing ever increasing demands for its services and with no local authority funding, Merseyside Jewish Community Care is looking to raise at least £250,000 from a major appeal.

Last year, MJCC supported 485 people — more than 20 per cent of the community — in some form. Its latest accounts show expenditure of £439,000 against income of £358,000, an operating loss of £81,000.

Although the deficit was partly attributable to a major refurbishment of the charity’s Shifrin House headquarters, chief executive Lisa Dolan anticipates a shortfall of £54,000 for the current year.

MJCC has a major appeal every five years and Ms Dolan stressed the organisation was not in crisis. “It is about keeping us sustainable. There is no sign of the grants we have lost from the council coming back. Because we subsidise all our services, it is a question of balancing the books. We are very well managed.”

Ms Dolan said that in an ageing community, demand for welfare and well-being support had risen as “people live at home for longer, trying to be as independent as possible”.

It was also the case that Jews looked increasingly to MJCC for support as the council cut services.

The charity’s activities took place throughout the city and covered the welfare spectrum from kosher meals on wheels and lunch clubs to help for those with dementia and their carers.

There were also the “hidden” issues of mental health or financial problems. “Hardship is always out there,” Ms Dolan said. “We help people to access benefits.”

As well as the small care team of part-timers, MJCC can call on almost 300 volunteers. “Some do something once in a blue moon, some are very active.”

Making the appeal, charity president Michael Fraenkel said “loneliness, isolation and bereavement affects everyone at some point. MJCC wants to be here for you, your children and your grandchildren.”

Ms Dolan hopes the appeal proceeds will cover most of the operational deficit for the next five years.