VSA has already launched a huge fundraising campaign to secure its future

An Aberdeen social care charity has announced it is seeking voluntary redundancies. 

Voluntary Service Aberdeen (VSA) launched its biggest ever drive for support this week after spending £3 million in reserves in recent years.

The charity, opened 155 years ago, warned services for the 2,000 people it supports are becoming “unsustainable”. 

Now the BBC is reporting VSA was now inviting expressions of interest from staff for voluntary redundancy, with the focus on "protecting essential services".

Front-line care staff are being excluded from the scheme, the chief executive Sue Freeth told the broadcaster. 

She added: “Times have changed, and public sector funding is no longer assured.

"Despite efforts to control costs and grow our income, the funding available through local authority contracts has not kept pace with the rising cost of delivering care.

"Our staff and volunteers are the heart of VSA, and we are deeply grateful for their continued professionalism and compassion through what we know is a challenging time.

"Our focus remains on protecting essential services and ensuring VSA can continue to serve the people of Aberdeen city and shire for many years to come."