THE mother of a disabled teenager says her daughter would be "stuck at home" if the after school clubs she attends are axed.

Denise Ward-Corderoy has been taking her daughter Nicole, 17, to clubs run by Hextable-based charity The Parents Consortium for more than 10 years.

But the clubs, which see more than 300 disabled youngsters attend from Swanley, Dartford and Gravesham, could be under threat of closing due to lack of funding.

The charity receives financial support from Kent County Council (KCC), local businesses and by donation.

Despite it receiving £309,203 from KCC, it says it is getting £100,000 less from businesses and donations than it needs to keep its services running.

Its family support and advice service has been hardest hit, seeing £46,000 in 2011/12 compared to £76,000 the previous year.

Ms Ward-Corderoy, 49, of Joydon’s Wood says her daughter, who was diagnosed with Angelman syndrome at birth, would miss out on vital support if the clubs closed.

Angelman syndrome causes severe learning and communication difficulties and means Nicole has to use a wheelchair when outside.

Ms Ward-Corderoy, who also has a 20-year-old son, Samuel, said: "It would have a massive impact on us if the clubs were closed.

"They really build up Nicole’s social skills and self esteem- they’re fantastic.

"It would be very difficult to go to a whole new environment and for her to build up relationships again.

"I don’t know any other clubs in the area that would take on a 17-year-old disabled child.

"Nicole would not have any social life without having access to clubs like this- she would be stuck at home."

The Parents Consortium also runs school holiday activities such as day trips to the seaside to give parents a break.

Ms Ward-Corderoy added: "As a working parent, I have no time to myself, from sorting Nicole out, to getting her up and getting her ready.

"The weekends are full of keeping her stimulated and happy because she can be quite challenging.

"She wants constant attention.

"But when she goes to the clubs or on day trips, it means I have some time for myself."

Victoria Softly of Dartford takes her 18-year-old daughter Jade, who suffers from epilepsy and autism, to the clubs.

The mother-of-four said: "Jade attends the clubs which gives me time to spend with my other children.

"Jade needs to go out. She really enjoys the social side, and she would miss them desperately if they closed."

The Parents Consortium has already had to slash some of its services to make savings.

Operations director Katrina Adams said: "We’ve had to severely cut back our Family Support and Advice service meaning many families are not able to get the help they need during the early days of diagnosis of a disability.

"As you can imagine, it is a time when the whole family is in turmoil."

The charity is putting on a range of fundraising events to tackle the funding problem, including a charity quiz night on February 23 at Dartford’s Princes Park Banqueting Suite.

Mrs Adams said: "We are desperately raising money to keep our children’s clubs going.

"Without the financial support, the charity will not be able to survive in the manner that we do now with our families will see a drastically reduced service.

"Obviously this will have a knock on effect to the welfare of these vulnerable children."

THE Parents Consortium puts on a variety of activities for youngsters, aged five to 19, including:

- A Saturday music club in Hextable

- Play schemes during Easter and summer holidays at leisure centres in Dartford, Gravesend or Swanley

- Holiday workshops

- Film nights

- Arts and crafts sessions

For more information, visit parentsconsortium.co.uk or call 01322 668501.