The boss of Islington’s volunteer centre has warned that his sector could be in serious danger if funding cuts continue, as he steps down after almost a decade in the post.

Mike Sherriff joined Voluntary Action Islington (VAI) in 2006 when funding for volunteering was increasing under the Labour government. But since the economic crash – and under successive governments – funding has been slashed, budgets cut and projects halted.

“We went from a position of having £1.5million a year in funding to losing £1m overnight,” Mr Sherriff told the Tribune.

VAI, which supports voluntary and community organisations in the borough, was forced to scale down, but Mr Sherriff said Islington’s “dedicated” volunteers were ensuring there was still a “dynamic and successful” voluntary sector in Islington.

“There is still a strong commitment to the voluntary sector in Islington,” he said.

But Mr Sherriff, previously head of Sure Start in Islington, added: “There is only so much that can be cut back before organisations start saying ‘are we viable?’”

There are currently 450 voluntary and community organisations in the borough.

“Most organisations in Islington have adapted and survived but we’ve had some closures,” said Mr Sherriff.

“If these cuts in financial support from central government continue, then there is a risk that the sector will be jeopardised.

“I think there has been a very big detrimental impact on residents as a result of various changes in central government.

“We are working with greater levels of need than we were five years ago, which is making things more difficult for voluntary organisations and volunteers. But in Islington we can be really proud of the way we are dealing with a very difficult situation.”

As well as coping with financial constraints, Mr Sherriff has overseen other big changes to the organisation – merging with the Islington Volunteer Centre in 2009 and moving to the Resource for London Centre.

Phil Kelly, chairman of VAI, said: “We very much appreciate all that Mike has done for the voluntary sector in Islington, and beyond. We wish him every success for the future.”

Mr Sherriff's successor, Guljabeen Rahmen, will take up her post on March 21. She was until recently director of the Hopscotch Asian Women’s Centre in Camden and has also been a trustee of several community organisations. She has previously worked in the housing sector and internationally with UNICEF and VSO.

Ms Rahmen said VAI would have to work more collaboratively in future to survive funding cuts.

“I’m all up for a challenge,” she said. “That’s what encouraged me to apply.”

• Keywords
  VOLUNTARY WORKERS, FINANCE, COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS
• Persons keyword
  Mike Sherriff, Voluntary Action Islington